Ellie Singe
Ellie Singe — 'Mortal Business - 04' Sculptural Urn, 2024
This work explores the connection between bones and bodies, and the ways they are presented and preserved after death. Working primarily in ceramics, Ellie Singe creates bone-like forms from clay alongside wheel-thrown urns and wax works.
Using ceramics produces a pseudo bone-like surface texture, creating a visceral connection between the material and the concept. Organic textures have long been a source of inspiration within Ellie's practice, informed by a deep sensory connection to the process of working with clay.
A layered relationship with the body runs throughout the work: from the artist's physical touch and experience at the wheel, to clay bodies mined from the earth, the inclusion of ground bone as an additive material, the representation of bones themselves, and the lidded urns that may hold the ashes of the deceased.
My intention with this work is to spark difficult conversations about how we choose to represent the dead and a societal discomfort with the familiarity of death.
I was inspired by my own experiences with death following the unexpected death of my father in 2019. I was confronted and fascinated with death rituals and rites and the presentations of death and bodies, which lead to a practice of making ceramic cinerary urns — Ellie Singe
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Ellie is a visual artist working and living on Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung country.
Her work mostly consists of ceramic wheel-thrown work, with some hand-built ceramics and wax elements.
In 2024 Ellie completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Monash University and exhibited her ‘Mortal Business’ work for the graduate exhibition ‘MADA Now.’
Her work, ‘Mortal Business,’ won the non-aquisitive ‘Edith Rose Memorial Award.’
She is still a student at Monah University pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in gender studies and is due to graduate in 2026. Ellie’s recent work has engaged with the representation of death in contemporary cultures and seeks to spark conversations around our cultural discomfort with death and bodies.
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Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize 2026
5 September – 3 October
Following the success of last year's prize, Craft is delighted to continue our partnership with Mud Australia to present the Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize 2026.
The Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize (SSCP) was established in 2020 by Mud Australia Founder and Creative Director, Shelley Simpson, to support and champion the next generation of Australian ceramicists.
Presented in partnership with Craft Victoria, the annual prize is open to ceramic artists working across functional ware, fine art, handcrafted objects and broader commercial ceramic practices. Alongside a $10,000 cash prize, shortlisted finalists will be exhibited at Craft Victoria as part of a dedicated exhibition celebrating contemporary Australian ceramics.
Read more about the exhibition here:
Materials: stoneware, porcelain, paraffin wax
Dimensions: approx. 30 x 15cm
Please note when purchasing, exhibition works are to be collected when exhibition closes.
Shipping costs may be estimates. Please feel free to contact shop@craft.org.au who will be available to provide an Art Courier quote or shipping costs for larger items.