I am incredibly honoured to have been selected as a finalist in the Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence 2025, presented by Ceramic Arts Queensland (CAQ). My ceramic artwork, The Dance of Shadows, was showcased among a remarkable group of artists, making this a truly memorable experience.
The Siliceous Award is one of Australia’s premier ceramic prizes, recognising artistic excellence and innovation in the medium. The award has grown in stature since its inception in 2015, drawing a high standard of entries from both established and emerging ceramic artists across the country. To have The Dance of Shadows included in such an esteemed group was an incredible privilege.
The Dance of Shadows explores the delicate interplay between light and darkness, a meditation on resilience, fragility, and transformation. The vessel’s surface is intricately decorated to evoke shifting forms and subtle movements, much like shadows dancing across the earth at twilight. Through this work, I aimed to invite viewers into a space of quiet reflection, encouraging them to contemplate the unseen forces that shape our world.
The exhibition was held at the Metcalfe Gallery, Brisbane Institute of Art, from 9 to 25 March 2025, with a fantastic turnout of visitors eager to experience the diverse and thought-provoking works on display. It was an absolute pleasure to be part of such a dynamic collection of contemporary ceramics. Though The Dance of Shadows did not win one of the major prizes, being selected as a finalist was a huge honour and a recognition I truly value.
The winners of the Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence and the Gwyn Hanssen Pigott Wood Fired Ceramics Award were announced at the opening night event, and the competition was fierce. The major prize, the Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence, was awarded to Tamasin Pepper for her stunning piece Wrapped Rust and Flight, and the Gwyn Hanssen Pigott Wood Fired Ceramics Award went to Ben Richardson for his work Foliage Vase – Cairn Series. The highly commended awards went to Cathy Franzi and Graham Hay, who were both acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to the field.
Though I did not receive an award, I’m incredibly grateful to have had my work featured in such an esteemed exhibition. The experience of being surrounded by so many talented artists and having my work displayed alongside theirs was truly fulfilling. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and finalists, and thank Ceramic Arts Queensland for hosting such a professional and inspiring event.
Events like the Siliceous Award are so important for the Australian ceramics community, providing a platform for artists to share their work, exchange ideas, and celebrate the innovation and creativity that thrives within the medium. I am thankful for the opportunity to have been part of it, and look forward to continuing to explore the themes of fragility, resilience, and the cyclical nature of life in my future works.
Once again, thank you to everyone who supported me on this journey, and for those who visited the exhibition and engaged with my piece. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity and look forward to what comes next.