Sculptural ceramics by Maria Vanhees

Belgian Australian, born 1968

In Maria Vanhees’ latest exhibition she creates abstracted biomorphic ceramic sculptures. Indulge your visual sense in these stunning works of art. Feel the tension between the smooth surfaces and highly textured spaces.

Ceramic sculptor Maria Vanhees, started her ceramics journey in 1998 in Belgium but moved to Australia in 2004 to complete a Bachelor of Visual Arts, Ceramics (Honours) in 2006 and obtain a PhD in Visual Arts, Ceramics in 2010, both at La Trobe University in Bendigo, Victoria.

Maria’s prior studies in both Clinical Psychology and Anthropology, her current experience as a social worker in Central Australia and a general fascination with the natural world, drive and inspire her intuitive approach in creating abstracted, biomorphic ceramic sculptures.

Maria’s work was exhibited in 4 solo exhibitions and over 25 group exhibitions, including the Sidney Myer Fund International Ceramics Award Exhibitions (Shepparton Art Gallery) in 2006 and 2008, the ICMEA 2010 exhibition in Fuping/Jingdezhen (China), and more recently in the Clay on Country Exhibition during the Australian Ceramics Triennale 2022 in Alice Springs.

Maria’s awards include the Jetset/Telstra Countrywide Studyarts Australia Award, La Trobe University (Bendigo) and the Pat Emery Award (Melbourne). Her work is collected by La Trobe University, the Bendigo Art Gallery and represented in private collections in Australia and Belgium.