In this instalment of our Creatives Series we meet Kerri of Nioka Clay, a talented ceramic artist based in the serene Noosa Hinterland. With a love for crafting vases and other sculptural vessels, Kerri's work is a blend of intention and spontaneity that has flourished, with her designs gracing homes and interior spaces across Australia.
We recently had the chance to step into her studio to ask her a few questions and see where her creations come to life. Surrounded by overflowing shelves of vases and sculptures, we got to watch Kerri at work creating her ceramics by hand.
Creative Direction & Styling by Wholehearted Studio and Photography by Josette Van Zutphen
Tell us where you are based, what you do, why you like to do it, and how you like to work?
I live in the Noosa hinterland and work with clay in a humble little setup in the corner of my garage. Between the fullness of being a mum and working in retail, I love to immerse myself in the process of making ceramics. I am drawn to making functional artworks that people can use and admire in their homes. I feel a particular pull towards making vases.
There are so many aspects to working with clay that I love—from the way the material feels in my hands, to watching shapes slowly take form and how time spent creating brings me peace and clarity. I like to work slowly and intuitively. I approach pieces with intention but also flexibility, allowing the direction to form as I go. My time with clay flows and fits around the rest of my day-to-day happenings on a day off, often sandwiched between housework, walking the dog, mowing the lawn, and driving kids around.
Could you share a bit about your background? What did you study, and how did your journey lead you to making ceramics?
After leaving high school, I spent close to 20 years working for a not-for-profit organisation in several locations around Australia and overseas. In a nutshell, we provided training and mentorship for young people and mobilised teams of volunteers to help communities both locally and abroad. This work led my husband and I to establish our own branch of the organisation with a focus on supporting young artists. This involved both of us wearing many hats; from directing the organisation and coordinating training programs, to managing a campsite that provided living quarters. The list goes on.
Alongside and interwoven with this work, I was also pursuing my love of music as a singer/songwriter—performing, recording, collaborating with and mentoring the musicians and artists in our community. The time came for us to pass on what we had built, which was a difficult decision but the right thing for our family. We left the organisation and moved to the Sunshine Coast, where we knew no one and didn't have a clear idea of what we would do next.
Feeling a bit lost, I took the opportunity to do a Diploma of Visual Arts at TAFE as I had always wanted to pursue formal Art studies. This is where I discovered clay and unlocked a whole new expression for my need to create.
What does being creative mean to you?
Being creative for me means living each day open to new possibilities. It’s an approach to life that sees things not only as they are but as they could be. The thought of bringing something into being that was not there before is so simple yet such a profound concept to me. What we create leaves a mark in time and space—whether that is a tangible thing or not. I believe that’s a big part of everyone’s purpose.
Having an outlet for personal expression, whether it's through writing, playing music, drawing, or creating with clay, gives me such a sense of fulfillment and joy. Without these outlets, I feel out of touch, off balance, and like a tangled mess.
Can you tell us a little bit about the evolution of Nioka Clay?
When the Diploma of Visual Arts came to an end, I moved on to study Graphic Design. I found myself revisiting clay often and it started to take up much of my free time. My guitar got dusty and I was no longer drawing or painting.
My Graphic Design teacher encouraged me to think about how I could incorporate my passion for clay into the coursework. I used the tableware I was making at the time as inspiration for an assignment. We were to come up with a business name, design a logo, and develop branding and packaging for a product. What started out as a hypothetical idea for an assignment grew into a reality.
I came up with the name ‘Nioka Clay’ to represent my work. I designed a logo and had it made into a stamp that I started imprinting on the bottom of all of my pieces. After this, my work started evolving beyond making tableware and more towards sculptural vessels. This is where I really started to find my niche and Nioka Clay began to gain momentum.
Over the years, your vases have garnered quite a cult following and become the interior staple of many designers. Did you ever anticipate this?
Not at all! I have always had an interest in architecture and interiors. As a kid, I loved studying floor plans for houses and designing my own. What drew me, even back then, was appreciating visually pleasing spaces and having a desire to create beauty for others to enjoy. When I started making vases I would imagine them in people's homes, elevating and complimenting certain design elements. However, these imaginings were just little daydreams. To now see my pieces in these incredible homes is truly a buzz for me.
How do you find the creative process? What do you struggle with?
For me, creativity is all about the process. It's in the process that the lessons are learned, where the challenges arise, where the failures and the victories are met, and where the growth happens. Working with clay in particular has taught me so much about accepting disappointments, adjusting expectations and not being too attached to outcomes—all great lessons that can be applied to other areas of life.
As part of my process, I like to be alone when I’m working with clay, even though I am typically a people person. If I’m lucky enough to block out a few hours for clay, it is very much my alone time to unravel and resolve. I go into another world where time is lost. Sometimes I struggle with having too many ideas and feeling stuck; not knowing which direction to choose or where to start. But I’ve learned that the best thing to do in those times is to just get my hands in the clay and make something.
At the moment, my main struggle is time. As the end of the year approaches, things just feel very full and it’s hard to find the capacity to create. But I’m hanging in there knowing that a new year is just around the corner and more time will open up for me again soon.
How would you describe your design aesthetic?
I love interiors that use natural elements and help you to feel connected to nature even though you’re inside. Being outside among the trees or by the water is my jam. I find the beauty of the natural world comforting and fascinating—this informs my work as I create. I tend to leave the exterior of my ceramics unglazed to draw attention to the organic texture and tones of the clay bodies I use. I like to contrast surface patterns with clean lines and elegant shapes. I also have a deep appreciation for cultures and history, so I love design that is eclectic and unique. I love statement pieces that connect us to the ancient world.
"What we create leaves a mark in time and space—whether that is a tangible thing or not. I believe that’s a big part of everyone’s purpose."
What have been some of your career highlights so far?
In the short time I've been creating with clay, my highlights include seeing one of my vases on display in Paris with the 1000 Vases Exhibition, being commissioned to make a vase for Neale Whittaker, collaborating with one of my favourite local artists Kate Florence, and having numerous pieces selected for various styling campaigns across Australia.
Honestly though, every time someone connects with something I have made, especially if they can take it home or give it as a gift—no matter how big or small—it feels like a career highlight.
What are you working on next?
I am preparing for the end of the year and the Christmas season making ceramic Candelabras and Advent Wreaths. Next year I would like to start making a body of work for a possible exhibition.
