Ashlee is a ceramic artist whose work explores the intersection of a disciplined craft training with expressive mark making; combining traditional methods and materials with contemporary counterparts, her vernacular continues to evolve. Working with other makers to deepen their own craft language and develop their careers is an integral part of her practice.

Photography by Leah Menner.


Ashlee is passionate about South Australian ceramics and the people who make them. Whether it be through the delivery of workshops that build on maker’s practices and tool kits, or as the founder of Adelaide Ceramics Market, she hopes to contribute to a sustainable arts sector that champions local craftspeople.

Ashlee graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Ceramics) from the University of South Australia in 2016. She then went on to complete the JamFactory’s Associate Training Program in 2018 where she stayed on as a studio tenant and short course teacher. Ashlee was appointed as Production Manager of the JamFactory Ceramics Studio from 2020-2021. During her time at JamFactory Ashlee designed multiple products for the jam product range, and pioneered a short course in conjunction with ACH Group specifically for students with various neurological disorders. Since 2021, Ashlee has worked closely with Ku Arts to facilitate workshops in remote communities across the state with a focus on creative and professional development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists. This work follows on from previous engagements with Ernabella Arts in the APY Lands from 2016-2019. 

Ashlee’s works are held in numerous private collections, as well as commercial settings such as the restaurants at Hentley Farm and Magill Estate. In 2024 she won the Fleurieu Art Prize with her work Forest Ochre on Open Form.

Ashlee currently works from her backyard studio on Kaurna Yarta in Prospect, South Australia. 

Ash acknowledges the Kaurna People as the traditional custodians of the land she lives + works on, and acknowledges their deep connection to country. Sovereignty was never ceded.

 
 
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I’m so excited to be heading to @thepotteryexpo next weekend! Held in the grounds of @heidemoma with over 100 ceramic artists presenting their work. I’ll be road tripping across with my pal @by.madeleinemacintyre with the car absolutely
New pots with lots of colour. 🌈 I was so so so excited to wake up on Saturday morning and open my kiln. It was my first full kiln load for the year - and I’d taken some risks with new surfaces after feeling like my previous test batch were a
I love bud vases. There’s something powerful about such a small object…. During one of the darkest parts of my life I found a tiny vase in an op shop and told myself that I would place it in my windowsill. And that I MUST ensure that a
New pots online 💙 If you’re on my mailing list you will have received early access to my latest collection of work. Cups, mugs, jars - a selection of pots made prior to Adelaide Ceramics Market when my garden was bursting with sweet Spring bl
It’s March already? Two exciting pieces of news for the month ahead! I’m so excited to be heading to @thepotteryexpo with a car STACKED to the brim with pots. I visited Pottery Expo a few years ago and was gobsmacked at all the beautiful
I love this jar with sprawling map lines accented in blue. I made it as part of a big batch of new work before @adelaide_ceramics_market late last year. Most of its friends have already found new homes but I was so happy that this one remained and th
Want to make a cup with me? There’s just two seats left at my hand building workshop next Saturday. We’ll roll coils of clay, attaching and building up into a cup form. A peaceful Saturday morning in my backyard studio - with lots figs a
It’s currently 35C and absolutely stinkin’ hot in my outdoor studio. The afternoon sun beats down on the aluminium roof which I’m sure I’ll be incredibly grateful for come winter …. but not right at this minute. Sneaki
A few snaps to sum up the studio lately 🌞 I feel like I’ve finally got some pots made - it’s a much slower start to a year in my studio than ever but I’m trying to get better at making use of the small pockets of time. I’m f
January is gone and I didn’t even finish a single pot. But there’s been a heatwave and my outdoor studio made it kinda unbearable to work…. But I did spend lots of time settling into my new job, eating treats, playing sport, star
A sunny Monday eve in the studio 🌞 I drew this pot on Friday. Threw the blank form at the wheel Saturday. Trimmed it Sunday morning. And then today (Monday) sketched out lines and inlaid colour into them. There’s some tweaks to be made on