Nicolette Johnson is a ceramic artist interested in the vessel. Her work explores our connection to the natural world and the way we assign powerful meaning to objects.

Johnson was born in London, England in 1990, grew up in Texas, USA, and has been based in Meanjin (Brisbane), Australia since 2005. Working in stoneware and employing wheel-throwing, coiling, and sculpting techniques, Johnson applies a modern sensibility to classical forms. Her work is included in the permanent collections of The National Gallery of Victoria, The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Museum of Brisbane, and the Griffith University Art Museum.

Johnson began working in ceramics in 2015 and continues her practice-led exploration into functional and sculptural ceramic vessels, hand-making and firing each of her works in her Brisbane home studio.

Curriculum Vitae

Biography1990Born in United Kingdom
1995-2005Resided in Texas, USA
2005Arrived in Brisbane, Australia
Education2008-2010Griffith University, Queensland College of Art, Bachelor of Photography (Photojournalism)
2011Griffith University, Queensland College of Art, Bachelor of Photography (Honours)
Solo Exhibitions2023Deep Field, Paper Boat Press Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
2020High Spirits, Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
2018Blume, Paper Boat Press Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
Group Exhibitions2023Everyone's heard of a dragon, Craft Victoria, Melbourne, VIC
CLAY: Collected Ceramics, Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane, QLD
Jugs, Craft Victoria, Melbourne, VIC
Muswellbrook Art Prize, Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre, NSW
2022Persona: 50 Years of Photography at QCA, Queensland College of Art Galleries, Brisbane
2021Clay Dynasty, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
2020Summer Hang, Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Spring Group Exhibition, Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne
Assemblages, Melbourne Art Fair, Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne
2019The Churchie National Emerging Art Prize, Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane
An Idea Needing to be Made, Heide MoMA, Melbourne
Brisbane Art Design, Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane
Manifest, PW1, Australian Ceramics Triennale, Hobart
Material Thought, Modern Times, Melbourne
Designwork #3, Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne
2018Ceramics 2, Maunsell Wickes Gallery, Sydney
Designing Women, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Unleashed, Artisan, Brisbane
Relics Today, Modern Times Gallery, Melbourne
Vase & Vessel: And Ode to Morandi, Saint Cloche Gallery, Sydney
Artefacts, Space at Collins Gallery, Melbourne
2017Emerge, Paper Boat Press, Brisbane
On Paper, Of Clay, Saint Cloche Gallery, Sydney
Prizes, Awards, and Grants2023Finalist - Muswellbrook Art Prize
2022Finalist - Clunes Ceramic Award 2022
2021Winner - CAQ Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence
2020Finalist - The Design Files Design Awards (Handcrafted Category)
Sidney Myer Fund, National Assistance Program for the Arts
2019Winner - The Design Files Design Awards (Handcrafted Category)
Finalist - The Churchie National Emerging Art Prize
Finalist - Little Things Art Prize
Residencies2023Artist in Residence, Urban Art Projects (UAP), Brisbane (forthcoming)
CollectionsGriffith University Art Museum, Brisbane
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane
Powerhouse Musem, Sydney
Ceramic Arts Queensland
Commissions2023NGV FOCUS Commission, Melbourne Design Fair, Melbourne
2020Barry Willoughby Bequest, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
BibliographyJohnson, Kylie and Tiffany Johnson. Earth & Fire. Thames & Hudson. 2023.
Dias Pires, Karina. Artists at Home. Thames & Hudson. 2022.

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