Gabriela Mello – 'Joy is Enough IV', Sculptural Vessel, 2025

The series of work "Is Joy Enough?" invites viewers to explore the interplay of joy, community, and expression through a collection of sculptural vessels born from an arts-based research inquiry. These pieces, crafted using a blend of traditional ceramic techniques and mixed-media methods, embody the resilience of creativity as a form of healing and connection. Each vessel reflects a moment of interaction—layered textures and emergent marks invite close engagement, revealing a dialogue of touch and presence. Grounded in reflective practices and nurtured in the collaborative spirit of Warrandyte Pottery Studio, these works celebrate the necessity of joy and shared creativity in crafting a well world.

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Gabriela Mello (she/her) is a Latinx multidisciplinary artist. Having just completed a Master’s in Therapeutic Arts with specialisation in Arts-Based Research, her life is dedicated to fostering community, exploring the nuances of clay, and embracing relationality—the intricate connections between individuals and their environments. Gabie’ s work is deeply influenced by her attunement to the unique ways we navigate the world. Through the interplay of emergent mark-making, texture, color, form, and material, she engages with her artistic practice as a reflection of her experiences and interactions. Each piece invites viewers to explore the multifaceted relationships that shape our existence, celebrating the beauty and complexity of connection.

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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: