Stephen Bowers (b.1954) cockatoo charger 1982 earthenware, high fired, chrome oxide mix decoration Initialled & dated to base, height 6.5 cm,. Diameter 46.3 cm. Literature: http://robingibson.net/artists/stephen-bowers. Other Notes: the artist Notes: 'This was made at the old jam factory on Payneham Road. I threw a lot of plates on the wheel around that time & was firing to high fire in the big gas kilns there to stone ware & porcelain temperatures - using detailed eastern oriental patterning & other references with cartouches or reserves of 'Cockatoos' included. The oxide (pigment) used was a mixture of chrome & one or two other ingredients. That (this) piece is striving for painted decorative detail at a time when this was very improper - most pots being undecorated 'Brown & round' at the time. For what is its worth, that piece is a very good illustration of the development off my work at that time, exploring as it does our place/connection/relationship with Asia - particularly china & Japan with oriental patterning juxtaposed along side vernacular images of 'Australiana' - a cultural mash-up no less.' Stephen Bowers, January 2020