Break to Open

Break To Open is a series of oversized money jars responding to anti-renewable and economic disinformation produced by the fossil fuel industry and its beneficiaries. 

The “new climate denial” strategy has shifted from disputing the existence of human-caused climate change to undermining solutions and delaying action. Inspired by medieval British tudor money boxes that collected payments only accessible by breaking the container, these sealed ceramic forms serve as a metaphor for restrictions on public wealth, understanding, and progress.

Recycled green glass blended into recycled clay leaks from the vessels, replacing the traditional copper and lead green glaze. A continuation of extensive experimentation, the coil-built and wheel-thrown forms are single-fired electrically and made using local circular materials. Each artwork title references news articles intended as searchable sources for dispelling myths and encouraging informed conversation.

Works

1. “No need for countries to issue new oil, gas or coal licences, study finds”, 2026, recycled glass clay body, recycled glass glaze, second life basalt, discontinued Australian pennies, archival resin, 81 x 50cm

2. “$11tn fossil fuel asset crash could cause 2008-style financial crisis, warns new study”, 2026, recycled glass clay body, recycled glass glaze, second life basalt, discontinued Australian pennies, archival resin, 77 x 60cm

3. “Renewable energy stimulus can create three times as many Australian jobs as fossil fuels”, 2026, recycled glass clay body, discontinued Australian pennies, archival resin, 76 x 61cm

4. “Electricity generation costs would be a third lower with 82% renewable grid, CSIRO says”, 2026, recycled glass clay body, second life basalt, 80 x 59cm

5. “Global heating sceptics now argue it is more palatable with the electorate to pivot from climate denialism to anti-renewable energy scepticism”, 2026, recycled glass clay body, recycled glass glaze, second life basalt, discontinued Australian pennies, archival resin, 82 x 57cm

6. “Dick Smith’s ABC radio rant against renewables overflows with ill-informed claims”, 2026, recycled glass clay body, ceramic sink trap sediment rock, discontinued Australian pennies, archival resin, 80 x 58cm