Year Long Visual Arts 2025 Ceramics Pinch Pots and Ritual Piece

My ceramics practice began with bright, joyful forms — two small floral mugs and a bold purple-and-orange jug — pieces that celebrated colour, pattern, and the comfort of domestic rituals. As I continued working, my direction shifted toward more natural tones and deeper emotional symbolism. This transition led me to create my ritual object, The House: a small clay structure that appears stable from the outside, but inside holds wire, darkness, and shadowed space. It reflects my lived experience with mental health — how on the outside everything can look fine, while inside I carefully navigate trauma, night terrors, and the delicate balance required to stay grounded each day.

Alongside these works, I explored a range of clays, including Dark Matter, speckled clay, terracotta, and porcelain. I shaped small vessels and candle holders, experimenting with the way different clay bodies respond to the hand, the tools, and the kiln. Each surface was finished with simple glazes and soft, earthy palettes that allowed the natural texture of the clay to speak.
Working with clay became a profoundly healing process — the slow moulding, the warmth of the material, the quiet rhythm of smoothing, joining, and refining. Through this journey, I discovered that clay carries stories too: of resilience, grounding, softness, and the unseen emotional landscapes that shape who we are