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Emma is a self taught, ceramicist living in Dubbo, NSW drawing inspiration from walking along the Macquarie River, travelling through outback Australia and overseas, specifically Africa and Europe.
Emma developed her love for ceramics in high school, completing 3 unit art, majoring in ceramics for her HSC, in 1993. These were exhibited in Art Express and selected for an overseas exhibition.
Under the impression, you could not make a living as an artist, Emma became an Occupational Therapist, working in disability and aged care, in regional NSW. After 25 years, of running her own business and practising as an OT, Emma became burnt out and sought refuge in ceramics. Creativity bought a sense of grounding, fostered selfcare, and intense focus and presence.
Emma has continued working part-time as an OT whilst focusing on building on her ceramics practise.
Emma was selected as a finalist in the Mini Series Art Prize with The Corner Store Gallery in 2023. Emma exhibited as part of the Dubbo Art fair at the Western Plains Cultural Centre, 2024. Emma sells work through retail stores including Foray Design, Dubbo and Orson and Blake, Katoomba and The Corner Store Gallery, Orange.
Emma also teaches others the joy of ceramics and creativity throughout regional NSW delivering ceramic experiences and workshops.
Emma continues developing her skills through attending courses at National Art School Sydney and online short courses. Emma’s vision is to evoke a sense of calm, curiosity, and connection through her work.
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“These three vessels are called To Store, To Hold and To Carry.
“They are influenced by a trip to the southern area of Africa in 2024 and walking the Camino in Spain, 2023. They celebrate form, function, and adornment.
“During both trips, I visited museums showcasing the history of ceramics. I was fascinated by the concept that vessels were foremost functional, to store, hold or carry food, grains, oil, wine, and water. Decorating the vessels came secondary, to create a beautiful piece that was both functional and beautiful. This is what I particularly love about the medium of ceramics. It is also how I have been raised and how I aim to live. Using beautiful objects, in everyday life that make you stop, connect, be curious and appreciate. Pockets of calm and presence.
“The vessels are made from raku clay. I roll coils, pinch to flatten them, then blend the coils together to form the shape. They have been fired in an electric kiln to 1000 degrees, 3 layers of clear glaze applied, inside and out, then refired again to 1220 degrees. This makes them functional. The fired glaze means the form can hold liquid without it seeping through and they can be easily wiped clean.
“The beads are hand rolled and pierced, to avoid wasting discarded clay. The process of hand rolling beads is meditative and calming. These have been fired, then threaded onto leather to adorn the vessels. Further decoration has been added using guinea fowl feathers. I love these highly decorative feathers which have been collected from local friends who keep these birds.
“I wanted to keep the form and surface colour of the vessels simple and functional. The ceramic beads, leather, and feathers decorate the vessels to create a sense of curiosity and beauty.”
Emma Small, 2025.
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Shipping to anywhere in Australia is $50 for this work. International shipping is available on request.