David Ray – 'Home Delivery', Sculpture, 2023

This work draws on the history of traditional function ceramic tureens, which contain a meal to be shared and becomes the centerpiece for a table. “Home Delivery” shares a modern narrative of how takeaway home delivered meals have become more common, which leading us away from the table and the experience of conversation and sharing during a meal. It is made I like to create dynamic forms which play with colour and the opulent nature 18the balance of form and decoration.

The aesthetic appeal lies in its referencing mass production process but on closer inspection there is evidence of the work being handmade. My aesthetic explore ideas the individual handmade crafted object, to celebrate organic nature of clay, and juxtapose it by referencing the collective nature 18th century industrial

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David Ray has continued to provide wry commentary on the somewhat absurd nature of contemporary life, often using political, environmental, and consumerism themes that often intertwine, reflecting the interconnectedness of societal systems, individual behaviours, and environmental consequences. Subverting classical forms with contemporary concerns and often exploring the complex relationship between beauty and ugliness.   The ‘hand of the maker’ is an idealistic and important notion he holds dear within his making process, it involves the hand head and heart which provides a deeper connection to clay.

David Ray (AKA ‘The Duke of Dirt”) was born in 1972 in Ararat, Victoria, Australia. He graduated with Honours of Fine Arts (Ceramics) from RMIT, Melbourne 1995 and throughout his 30 year career, he has established himself as one of Australia’s leading ceramic artists.  His artwork is held in numerous Australian and International collections

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Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize 2025

 2 – 30 August

Mud Australia is partnering with Craft to present this year's Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize. Now in its fifth year, the prize is open to all Australian ceramicists and awards innovative, sustainable and emerging talent with a $10,000 fund to support and accelerate their practice. This year, for the first time, the selected finalists are celebrated in a four-week exhibition in Craft's Atrium gallery space.

The SSCP was established in 2020 by Shelley Simpson – Mud Australia’s Founder and Creative Director – and continues to recognise and support emerging and early-career ceramicists working across the spectrum of contemporary practice.

Read more about the exhibition here: