expressive clay vessels

with bonnie hislop

Bonnie Hislop is an artist focusing on ceramics, particularly hand building and ceramic illustration. Grounded in technical skill, her practice has evolved from creating illustrative ceramic planters to large scale sculptural work. Bonnie uses her forms to critically engage with the world around her and document the human experience. Working from her Meanjin home studio, Bonnie meticulously hand crafts her forms through an involved and often uncertain process inherent in working with clay. She unites bright colours and satirical concepts to engage her audience in a dialogue with the physical world around them. Her work intersects traditional representations of ceramics with a craft aesthetic to create a contemporary interpretation of the ceramic medium. The artwork doesn’t take itself too seriously yet is able to capture personal experiences universal to the human condition. Her practice aims to encapsulate universal experiences of frustration, angst, grief, emotional fatigue as well as feminine strength, intimacy and desire. The performative, brightly coloured ceramics forge an existence through joy and curiosity.

Bonnie regularly facilitates ceramic classes, produces public programs and exhibits her work around Australia. In 2024 she won the 3D category at the Ipswich Art Awards and was a finalist in the North Queensland Ceramic Awards.

bookings: sat 25 jul 10am - 3pm

Saturday 25 july

10am – 3pm

$280pp incl. all materials

Explore clay as a medium for expressive form and surface in this hands‑on masterclass led by ceramic artist Bonnie Hislop. Working with air‑dry clay as a flexible and accessible material, participants will create a colourful sculptural vessel, such as a trophy, vase, or invented form while engaging with techniques and approaches that are directly transferrable to ceramic projects.

Bonnie will demonstrate pinching and coiling methods to establish strong, balanced base structures, with a particular focus on proportion, and structural integrity. Drawing from her distinctive typographical vessels, she will also share her approach to constructing elements that appear to ‘float’, revealing practical strategies for achieving dynamic composition in clay.

The session concludes with surface development using acrylic paint, with the option to further embellish works using found materials. This masterclass is suited to artists and ceramicists interested in expanding their hand‑building vocabulary, exploring sculptural vessel forms, and translating conceptual ideas into materially resolved objects.

Please note: This workshop focuses on form and surface development using air‑dry clay and acrylic paint rather than fired ceramic finishes.

Masterclass includes

All materials will be provided for use during the workshop

Materials: Airdry clay, tools for making, paint, materials for embellishing.

Light lunch, tea and coffee. There is an opportunity to advise of any dietary requirements when making your booking.

Important information

Please arrive 10 minutes early to avoid late starts and allow time to find an all-day carpark.

This Masterclass will take place outside the gallery under marquees. Please wear weather appropriate clothing.

FAQs:

Is this workshop suitable for me?

Suitable for all levels

What can I bring?

Old clothes/apron

Weather appropriate clothing

Closed in shoes

Water bottle

What’s the refund policy?

Refund available up to 78 hours before the start time of the masterclass.

Please note: when purchasing your ticket, the Gallery absorbs all related booking fees, however, refunds will include the ticket price less the Humanitix fees (which consists of the payment processing fee and the service fee combined)

Please note that refunds are not available if you have already attended the workshop.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Minimum bookings required for workshop to proceed. In the unlikely event that the workshop is cancelled, participants will be given sufficient notice along with a full refund.