Ceramic artist and teacher Michael Ciavarella discovered the truth of this in a big way when he went to a national ceramic conference in Gulgong in NSW 10 years ago.
“I thought it might be a fun idea to get some ceramicists to make a piece to fit in a matchbox. When I received 100 pieces I was a bit overwhelmed,” Mr Ciavarella said.
Mr Ciavarella, who grew up in Shepparton and now teaches ceramics at a Sunshine Coast TAFE college, said people began asking him what he was going to do with the tiny ceramic artworks.
“I said I'm going to take them on the road".
As he toured his collection around regional art galleries, artists from around Australia and the globe sent him more pieces.
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Today Mr Ciavarella has 800 tiny artworks displayed in iconic Redheads matchboxes, all neatly packed into sturdy wooden crates which he made himself to transport the pieces safely around the country.
His sister, Angela McLean, manages the collection and helps ensure it is properly displayed and safely packed away.
The collection features a bewildering variety of subjects, from fishes to sea shells, beads, dice, flowers, musical instruments, sporting equipment and ceramic matches.
There are even some startling examples of human anatomy.
“The idea seems to bring out the deviant side in some people,” Mr Ciavarella said with a laugh.
Mr Ciavarella said he would like the collection to find a home in Shepparton.
“It's my hometown - and we have a reputation for ceramics. I don't want the collection to become dormant,” he said.
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He said although pottery and ceramics had become increasingly popular during the pandemic it was important to nurture the art.
“It's our responsibility to keep ceramics alive - it's the new yoga,” he said.
The Matchbox Show arrives in Shepparton for three days from Thursday, July 1 until Saturday as part of the re-programmed 25th anniversary Shepparton Festival.
It will be displayed at the Uniting Church building at 134-140 Fryers St from 10 am each day. Entry is free.
An exhibition launch party will be held on Thursday, from 4 pm to 7 pm.
Mr Ciavarella will host workshops each day from Thursday to Saturday for people to create their own miniature masterpieces to take away or join the display.
And since arriving in Shepparton, the collection has grown even bigger.
About 200 tiny matchbox masterpieces made by students from Notre Dame Secondary College and Kialla West Primary School will be displayed alongside exhibits from professional ceramicists, bringing the total collection to 1000 pieces.
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