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About

Lauren Hotson (b. Sydney, 1984) is an Australian artist whose practice transforms clay into timeless expressions of nature’s beauty from her studio in Bundjalung country, New South Wales.

Hotson’s artistic journey began with a childhood fascination for molding clay in her native Sydney. This pursuit evolved into a profound means of meditation and connection, leading her to engage with ceramic communities in locations across the globe, including Bondi, Brooklyn, and Bali. Her work is an ongoing exploration of letting go, viewing the artistic process as a conduit for life force energy that guides her hands to transform raw earth into form.

In 2014, a pivotal seven-month internship at the Gaya Ceramic Arts Center (GCAC) in Bali immersed her in studio management and the art of atmospheric firing. Her dedication saw her trading digital marketing consultancy for international artist-led workshops at GCAC, enriching her artistic practice. This period of focused development culminated in a 2019 residency at Shiro Oni in Onishi, Japan, where she produced her first body of work and participated in a group exhibition of her Anagama wood-fired ceramics.

Hotson’s work is a testament to the coexistence of fragility and resilience, reflecting the intricate beauty of the natural world and the harmonious relationship between ancient cultures and natural resources. Her creations are a labour of patience and persistence, often mirroring the textures and forms of nature. Hotson was a Ceramics Finalist in the 2020 Muswellbrook Art Prize and has been honored as a finalist in the 2024, 2025 North Coast Ceramics Award and the 2024, 2025 SWELL Smalls Art Prize.

Through her reverence for the immense diversity and complexity of nature, Hotson’s art ultimately serves as a tribute to the natural world and a profound statement on environmental preservation.