The Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize is funded by Mud Australia, the iconic Australian ceramic design company founded by Shelley Simpson.
For Shelley Simpson, creating this Prize is about nurturing the next generation of Australian artists and encouraging innovation within the craft of Ceramics:
“The visual arts are an integral part of our culture and overall social wellbeing. The sector has long been under-valued and poorly funded. With no change in sight it’s up to individuals and businesses with the foresight and capital to step up and do what they can to reverse the decline.
This generation of ceramicists is really inspiring. Their work touches all the right areas: environmental, social, visual and useful! After personally watching my daughter financially struggle with her investment in her final year of fine art studies, despite our support, I realised others may not be so lucky. It is my hope that this award will nurture and support some of our brightest ceramicists in the years to come.”
What’s it about?
The mission of the Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize is to support the next generation of Australian ceramicists. These emerging artists may be working across functional, small scale, fine art, handcrafted or more complex commercial pursuits with ceramics.
The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize to support their studies. This money may be used for tuition fees or however the student sees fit to complete their studies successfully.
This annual Prize is open to all Australian students studying Ceramics as an elective or major. Students studying alternative disciplines as their major may still apply.
Prizes
First Prize
$10,000
Second Prize
$2,000
Third Prize
$1,000
All prize winners will be offered a 3 month paid internship with Mud Australia’s Production to complete in 2021.
History of Mud
Established in 1994, Mud Australia is a highly-considered range of porcelain tableware and lighting designed by Shelley Simpson.
Mud is known for producing collections that neatly intersect a minimalist aesthetic with an artisan finish, in a refined colour palette.
All Mud collections are ethically handmade in their Sydney studio with the intention of bringing an organic joy to built spaces.
Loved by many in the design and food worlds, including Nigella Lawson who describes Mud as:
“Mud is the most beautiful contemporary ceramic crockery anywhere in the world. Design, feel, colour, mood: everything is exquisite—and practical with it.”
Mud Australia’s flagship stores are located in Melbourne, Sydney, Los Angeles, New York City and London.
Mud Australia can also be purchased online at mudaustralia.com
