Five Questions with Nikki Dowdell
Date
09 November 2026
My obsession with glaze chemistry informs the development of my work, with each firing leading to new discoveries and possibilities. I love to explore the limits of the materials I use and in doing so create pieces which are difficult to replicate making each piece entirely unique. It is this endless process of experimentation which I find most exciting and fulfilling.
What are you currently exploring or curious about in ceramics, and where do you see your work heading next?
Experimentation with glaze and raw materials is my primary focus. As far as recent explorations, I’ve been playing with a new convex bowl shape designed to compliment my arched glaze designs. Some recent material explorations include utilising recycled eyeshadow as a wash over my glazes which has yielded some interesting results. I plan to revisit some earlier raw material experiments which I haven’t played with since 2006/2007; pressing garnet (sand blasting grit) into freshly thrown pots - this produces some gorgeous metallic effects with certain glazes. Besides this, I am constantly tinkering with my formulas!
What first drew you to working with clay, and how has your relationship with the material evolved over time?
The first clay project I worked on in high school was a terracotta bust, but it wasn’t until my first year of uni that I learned to throw. I became a little obsessed with obtaining the skills to ‘go big’ early on - my developing interest in surface treatment centred around glaze, so I required large canvasses to work with. Over the years, I’ve become more content working with smaller forms for everyday use, reserving larger pieces for exhibition. My relationship with the materials has strengthened over the years which has aided my confidence - there’s a lot less guesswork these days.
Name an inspiration behind your work. Who or what has influenced your work over the years?
I’ve always been inspired by nature and honour the spiritual connection we have with the natural word. My earliest work in glaze aimed to capture the essence of coastal environments which I spent my formative years surrounded by. Recently, I’ve found floral elements weave their way into my work, taking inspiration from flowering plants that family members and friends have gifted me. These plants hold greater significance to me now as these loved ones have sadly passed on. My work is also influenced by the raw materials I employ as I’m always finding new elements to explore further.
Love a sneaky peek! Walk us through your studio, what kind of kilns do you have, and what would we see?
My workspace is condensed to a footprint of around 10m², within an 88m² shed at the back of our property. I have a 14ft³ gas-fired AFC Hi-Tech. Right now in the studio I have shelves full of finished work ready to be packed up for Adelaide Ceramic Fair, then there’s shelves of bisked pots waiting to be glazed for my stockists and my online store. I have two wheels, a Shimpo VL and an older Venco (used for grinding/polishing) a large workbench, and all the regular gadgets you’d expect to see in a clay studio.
What excites you about ceramics in Australia?
I am blown away by the sheer number of people taking up a ceramic practise, it’s been extraordinary to witness, having worked in this medium as long as I have and beginning at a time when interest was fairly low. I’ve felt a little isolated from my community in recent years (busy Mum) but from what I do see on social media, there seems to be many more opportunities for ceramic artists at all career stages currently, which is fantastic!
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