Nicolette Johnson is a ceramic artist interested in the vessel. Her work explores symmetry, esoteric and surrealist motifs, and the way we assign powerful meaning to objects.
Nicolette 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, Nicolette applies a modern aesthetic to re-imagined ancient 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.
With a background in photographic art and social documentary, Nicolette began working in ceramics in 2015 and is continuing her practice-led exploration into functional and sculptural ceramic vessels, hand-making and firing each of her works in her Brisbane home studio.
CV
Biography | 1990 | Born in United Kingdom |
1995-2005 | Resided in Texas, USA | |
2005 | Arrived in Brisbane, Australia | |
Education | 2008-2010 | Griffith University, Queensland College of Art, Bachelor of Photography (Photojournalism) |
2011 | Griffith University, Queensland College of Art, Bachelor of Photography (Honours) | |
Solo Exhibitions | 2020 | High Spirits, Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne |
2018 | Blume, Paper Boat Press Gallery, Brisbane | |
Group Exhibitions | 2022 | Persona: 50 Years of Photography at QCA, Queensland College of Art Galleries, Brisbane |
2021 | Clay Dynasty, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney | |
2020 | Summer Hang, Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane | |
Spring Group Exhibition, Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne | ||
Assemblages, Melbourne Art Fair, Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne | ||
2019 | The 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 | ||
2018 | Ceramics 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 | ||
2017 | Emerge, Paper Boat Press, Brisbane | |
On Paper, Of Clay, Saint Cloche Gallery, Sydney | ||
Prizes and Awards | 2022 | Finalist - Clunes Ceramic Award 2022 |
2021 | Winner - CAQ Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence | |
2020 | Finalist - The Design Files Design Awards (Handcrafted Category) | |
2019 | Winner - The Design Files Design Awards (Handcrafted Category) | |
Finalist - The Churchie National Emerging Art Prize | ||
Finalist - Little Things Art Prize | ||
Collections | Griffith University Art Museum, Brisbane | |
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne | ||
Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane | ||
Powerhouse Musem, Sydney | ||
Commissions | 2020 | Barry Willoughby Bequest (upcoming), Powerhouse Museum, Sydney |
2019 | Maison IV, Milan Design Week, Spazio Rossana Orlandi, Milan | |
2018 | Institute of Modern Art Fourth Annual Gala Auction | |
Vessels for the W Hotel, Brisbane | ||
2017 | The Design Files Open House, Melbourne | |
IMA Gallery Shop After Hours, Brisbane | ||
Limited Edition Vessels, Jardan Flagship Store, Sydney |