Holly Macdonald

Holly Macdonald initially studied architecture and engineering before discovering her true passion for ceramics. Her creative practice combines drawing, installation and hand building in clay to interrogate the dynamic relationship between object, memory and place. She also makes a range of functional ceramics under the name ‘Fictional Ceramics’. The range integrates form, colour and line to produce unique and vibrant pieces for the intimate domestic rituals we perform every day.

Holly grew up between Warrang/Sydney and the Upper Hunter, Wanaruah Country. In 2021 she relocated to Newcastle, Awabakal Country, from Naarm/Melbourne. Holly has exhibited work throughout Australia including solo exhibitions at Firstdraft and Sabbia Gallery, both in Sydney, and undertaken residencies locally and overseas. Living, travelling and making art in diverse places has played an important role in expanding and informing her understanding of the nuanced and specific nature of place and clays capacity to travers linguistic and cultural boundaries.

As well as maintaining a studio practice Holly has contributed time and enthusiasm to organisations such as The Australian Ceramics Association, The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art and West Space (Naarm/Melbourne), Firstdraft and kil.n.it Experimental Ceramics (Warrang/Sydney).