Where Light Finds a Way
Where Light Finds a Way
By artist: Nicola Brockett
Ceramic. 16 x 16 x 20 cm
Where Light Finds a Way is a rounded, hand-built ceramic vessel with a small neck, constructed using coils of red earth clay and finished with a layer of slip. The surface depicts a garden moving from dense, heavily shadowed foliage at the base of the vessel towards lighter, more open growth as it rises. Thick layers of leaves and plants gradually give way to flowers and new growth reaching upwards into the light. The piece combines slip trailing and detailed hand painting to create contrasting areas of raised texture, pattern and colour. The layered surface gives the foliage a sense of depth and movement, encouraging the viewer to explore the vessel from different angles. Hidden amongst the leaves and flowers are small insects and frogs, creating moments of discovery within the garden. These creatures are deliberately tucked into the foliage, inviting the viewer to look closely and discover the life concealed within the shadows. The vessel reflects my love of hand-building, surface texture and hand painting, together with my fascination with gardens, plants and flowers. The progression from shadow to light is expressed through the changing density, colour and form of the garden as it travels upwards around the vessel.
About the artist.
Gold Coast based ceramic artist Nicola Brockett has worked with clay for around ten years, developing an evolving practice grounded in hand building, surface design and a deep appreciation for the natural world. While Nicola works across a range of ceramic techniques, hand building remains central to her practice. She creates both functional and sculptural forms, embracing the organic qualities and possibilities of working directly with clay. Her work is distinguished by highly detailed hand-painted imagery, with colour, pattern and texture used to bring each piece to life. Gardens, plants and nature are recurring influences, reflecting Nicola’s fascination with the beauty, abundance and intricate detail found in the natural environment. Her love of travel and photography is also increasingly finding its way into her work, with photographs and observations gathered from both local surroundings and overseas journeys beginning to inform her imagery, surface decoration and storytelling.
Collection or delivery.
This item is part of the Plant Empire Garden Art Exhibition, on display at Plant Empire from 17 October - 22 November 2026. Exhibition items are available for sale in person or online. In the unlikely event that a customer purchases the item in-store at the same time as it is sold online, we will refund the online purchase - thank you in advance for your understanding if this situation does occur. Exhibition pieces will be available for collection in-store or delivered from 23 November: to collect your item in person, please select the 'in-store pickup' option at checkout; or to have it delivered, please select either the Australia Post or courier option (Brisbane only) at checkout and your delivery fee will be calculated automatically.