2024 was a really exciting year overall for my ceramics practice, it was characterised by pushing new ideas, experimentation and extending my technical foundation during an amazing summer residency at Studio Pottery London.

June to August in London was a period of learning that has allowed for new and exciting forms and technical expansion. I was very excited to spend a few weeks at Studio Pottery London learning and practicing my wheel throwing and incorporating new and more complex throwing techniques to my work. It was a rigorous few weeks and 20 small works were thrown glazed and fired in London and shipped back to New Zealand at the end of the residency. Link to a few of these pieces here: https://www.anniesmitssandano.com/shop

On my return to New Zealand I was excited to have been selected as finalist and winner of the Rabbit Room Award at the 2024 UKU Hawkes Bay National Biannual Ceramic Awards. My set of three vessels – Pomona, Popinjay Blue and Lusty Gallant were selected by New Zealand master ceramicists Judy and Peter Collis and I was grateful to have my work exhibited alongside so many talented New Zealand ceramicists.

Shortly after that I was also excited to have a set of my Pastille works selected as finalists for the Quarry Ceramics Awards hosted in Whangarei. These impetus for the development of these pieces is rooted in the exploration of form, colour and volume while pushing the medium to it's edge- bringing to the fore questions around what defines sculpture/design/painting. Links to these works can be found here: https://www.anniesmitssandano.com/shop