Josina Pumani
Josina Pumani — 'Maralinga' Sculptural Vessel, 2026
Josina's ceramics tell the Maralinga story. Maralinga was the site of British nuclear tests in the mid- 1950s that covered an area of 3,300 square kilometers across the remote north of South Australia. The effects of Maralinga were severe and have had lasting impacts on the Anangu people whose lives, lands and livelihood were destroyed.
“Maralinga hurt our lands and people and our story needs to be told,” said Josina. Josina recounts how the Maralinga story is within all her people and that “we think about it all the time. Why did this happen to us?” — Josina Pumani
Nearly 70 years on the damage still informs the lives of Anangu people on the APY Lands. Josina’s uncle Yami Lester was blinded by the nuclear testing and her grandparents often spoke about the impacts of the bombing and how so many people lost their land, homes and lives. Notably the welts and burns people suffered.
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Josina Nyarpingku Pumani
Community: Mimili, SA. Language: Pitjantjatjara
Josina is a young Pitjantjatjara woman, who was born in Mimili. Her mother, the late Ngupulya Pumani and her grandmother Kunmanara (Milatjari) Pumani were two of the founders of Mimili Maku Arts. Both women taught Josina much about cultural leadership, but also about the strong connection with their country of Antara (Maku / witchetty grub Tjukurpa). Josina’s father is Shannon Kantji, a senior Yankunytjatjara leader. Josina began painting in 2009, and soon after became an arts worker at Mimili Maku Arts.
Josina's artworks reflect the style and stories she learnt from generations of women in her family. Josina began her ceramics practice in early 2024 and is one of the rising stars working in the APY Art Centre Collective studio. She is also a member of the Blak Manta ceramics collective.
Josina's ceramics tell the Maralinga story. Maralinga was the site of British nuclear tests in the mid-1950s that covered an area of 3,300 square kilometres across the remote north of South Australia. The effects of Maralinga were severe and have had lasting impacts on the Anangu people whose lives, lands and livelihood were destroyed. “Maralinga hurt our lands and people and our story needs to be told,” said Josina.
Josina hand builds her pots. The red represents the fires the bombs caused, and the grey represents the smoke. The texture and detail on the exterior of her pot conveys story of the smoke and how it travelled and stretched across the APY Lands.
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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: Ceramic, unglazed
Dimensions: approx. 71 x 41 x 41cm
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.