The Rick Rudd Foundation has announced the winner of the $15,000 Emerging Practitioner in Clay Award. 

Henri, a work by Helen Bakker from Tāmaki Makaurau, was noted for its sophistication and sensitive, understated treatment of the subject and material. “Its animated cheeky sideways look totally engages the viewer.”

This award was established in 2018 by Rick Rudd to encourage, foster and promote those makers who have not achieved national recognition. It is limited to those makers who have been working with clay for five years or less. Its aim is to give the recipient a financial boost to enable them to progress their journey with clay.

Photographic entries were submitted by 76 practitioners. From these, the judges—gallerist Anna Miles, ceramist Bronwynne Cornish, and studio potter Rick Rudd—selected 34 works. These will be shown in an exhibition at Quartz, Museum of Studio Ceramics in Whanganui.

 The exhibition includes works from around Aotearoa New Zealand, ranging in styles, techniques and aesthetics encompassing all aspects of working with clay from the humble to the extraverted. It demonstrates that the future of studio ceramics in this country looks lively and positive. According to the judges, “It was a pleasure to encounter a number of thrilling, highly distinctive ceramic statements among the strong selection of works submitted.”

For the first time, a second award has been given—a month-long residency at the Glasgow Street Arts Centre in Whanganui, provided by the Supporting Artists Through Residencies Trust. This residency has also been supported with a stipend of $4,800 from Creative New Zealand. Duality, by Lucy Hunter from Ōtepoti, was selected, noted as an expressive vessel with vibrant colour, attractive texture, and an intriguing depiction of long-armed alien figures emerging from it.

An exhibition of the 33 works received (one was broken prior to sending) will be on view for six months from 24 September 2024 at Quartz, Museum of Studio Ceramics, 8 Bates Street, Whanganui.