Artist biography
Sophie is an award winning, Wellington based ceramic artist, as well as tutoring ceramic courses and workshops at Inverlochy Art School.
Sophie’s recent work shows a strong influence from and acknowledgment to the sea. As a keen diver, she loves the analogy of the sea as a symbol of the unknown. Sophie likes to express symbolism and storytelling in a finely detailed, whimsical and thought provoking way.
Sophie’s works nod to early English ceramics from the 18th and 19th Century. Her biggest inspirations are 19th Century Belleek China, Majolica Ware and agate ware.
Using NZ clays and hand made glazes for her pieces, Sophie combines elements of wheel thrown, hand altered and hand building techniques, as well as handmade mould elements.
Most wellknow for her teapots, “Which looks like it was forged from the sea itself” - Chris Dunn, 2021, Judge at Ceramicus, they show her whimsical imagination and technical excellence.
Awards and exhibitions:
Represented by AVID Gallery, Wellington
Ceramics tutor, Inverlochy Art School
Dear Katherine, Solo exhibition in celebration of the centenary of Katherine Mansfield. At the Mansfield Birthplace House and Garden, 2023
Finalist ‘Quarry Ceramics Award’ 2022
Finalist ‘Pushing Clay Uphill’, Nelson Clay Week 2022
Avid Gallery ‘Art Matters - 30 years of Avid’ Exhibition, June 2022
CCG Award, at Ceramicus 2021 (Academy of fine Arts, Wellington) ; ‘Excellence in hand built Ceramics' for her work, entitled ‘Blue Men of the Minch”
Finalist in the Rick Rudd Emerging Practitioner in Clay Award, 2021. For her work entitled ‘Cordelia Amphora’. Quartz museum, Whanganui
Solo exhibition, December 2021, residential location.
Graduated with a Diploma in Art and Creativity, majoring in Ceramics, 2021.
About Sophie
Born in Wellington, New Zealand, 1997.
Sophie’s initial career was as a professional ballet dancer. At 16 years old she began professional full time training with the New Zealand School of Dance, gaining her Diploma in Dance Performance. Sophie danced with the Royal New Zealand Ballet as a student dancer for 2 years before being awarded the Todd Scholarship. Which provided a full contract with the RNZB.
Her dancing career enabled travel through Europe, England and Canada. Sophie is currently teaching the younger generation of ballet dancers, at several Wellington ballet schools.
Beginnings with clay
Sophie’s love of working with clay began while living in London, 2019, with ceramicist, Chris Bramble, at Freya’s Clay Club.
Upon returning to Wellington she became a member at Wellington Potters Association, while prepping her own “garden shed studio'“. In 2021 Sophie studied ceramics with Mel Ford at The Learning Connexion, gaining a Diploma in Art and Creativity with distinction.
Over the past few years Sophie has been a finalist and award winner in multiple national ceramic awards. Her work is represented by Avid Gallery in Wellington, where she has been part of exhibitions including ‘Art Matters - 30 years of Avid’, amongst 50 of New Zealand’s leading artists.