Vicki Grima

I make small pinched forms, mostly bowls, sometimes scoop forms, and brooches. With a small ball of clay I move my hands in a spiral movement, a meditative practice done often with my eyes closed to feel the thickness of the walls as they form. I explore the feel of clay, its strength and its fragility. My forms are made to nestle in the hand. I seek the beauty in handmade details – finger prints, delicate edges and decoration which unravels as the viewer gets closer and then holds the pot. My work spans functional, sculptural and decorative realms. 

I aim for simple, organic forms which echo ocean-worn shells, pebbles, coastal rocks. I use the making of my work to calm my mind, aiming for gentle curves and simplicity. Some of my work is decorated with intricately textured and patterned dots ... maybe a link to my obsession with precise, editorial work. However, I like to read clear, uncomplicated language, pared back to capture accurate, easy to understand meaning.

Vicki Grima lives in Sydney, Australia, close to many beautiful beaches, and her favourite place to spend time. She started off teaching visual arts, for the first fifteen years to secondary students then to teachers with whom she could share her passion for integrating visual arts through the whole curriculum. Over the next few years as she developed her own arts practice, she enjoyed 14 years as a member of a co-operative ceramics gallery in Sydney, and continued to teach a broad range of visual arts to adults throughout Australia. 

In 2005, Vicki took on the dual position with The Australian Ceramics Association, as Executive Officer and Editor of The Journal of Australian Ceramics. This challenging job involves working with a diverse, dynamic membership of over 1300 studio potters, print and web publishing, along with event and exhibition management. 

For the last 15 years, Vicki’s ceramic practice has been squeezed into any remaining gaps, providing her with a place to ponder the beauty in handmade details – finger prints, delicate edges and decoration which unravel as the viewer gets closer. In 2017, Vicki was awarded Australian Design Honours by Australian Design Centre. In 2018, Vicki was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the Visual Arts, particularly in ceramics. 

Vicki is also currently Director, Australian Ceramics Triennale Ltd.