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Cindy Tong is a ceramic artist based on GunaiKurnai Country in Sale, Gippsland. After more than a decade working in graphic design, she turned to ceramics in 2018, drawn to the physical nature of working with clay and the freedom to explore material and process.

Her work is shaped by close observation of the natural world, particularly the patterns, textures and movement created through growth, erosion, adaptation and renewal. Foliage, seed capsules, waterways and geological formations provide points of reference, which she interprets through carved ceramic vessels rather than depicting directly.

Cindy wheel-throws and alters her forms, as well as hand-builds when the work calls for it. Carving sits at the centre of her practice, with techniques including Mishima, Sgraffito and fluting used to build texture and pattern into the clay. The form and surface develop together, each responding to the other.

“Carving is central to my work. It allows me to explore the patterns and textures in my surrounding environment while giving each vessel its own life.”

Cindy has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions across Australia, including several exhibitions with Michael Reid Murrurundi. She was a finalist in the 2025 Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence. Alongside her sculptural work, she makes small-batch functional ware, bringing the same attention to form and surface to pieces made for everyday use.

Exhibitions

2026 Nexus, Gippsland Art Gallery (Sale, VIC)
A collaboration of Timber (Gavin Roberts), Glass (Crystal Stubbs) and Ceramic (Cindy Tong, me)
2025 Bloom, Michael Reid Murrurundi (Murrurundi, NSW)
2025 Carving into Clay, Bond Street Events Centre (Sale, VIC)
2025 Capsules, Michael Reid Murrurundi (Murrurundi, NSW)
2024 Foliole, Michael Reid Murrurundi (Murrurundi, NSW)

Selected Group Exhibitions

2026 Traces, Briagolong Art Gallery (Briagolong, VIC)
2026 Blanc, The Hive Gallery (Ocean Grove, VIC)
2026 Finding Foundry, Meeniyan Art Gallery (Meeniyan, VIC)
2025 Presently, Here, East Gippsland Art Gallery (Bairnsdale, VIC)
2025 Nakunbalook Art Show, Nakunbalook Centre (Sale, VIC)
2025 Apricity, Foundry Hallway Gallery (Bairnsdale, VIC)
2025 Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence, Metcalfe Gallery (Brisbane, QLD)
2025 Germinate, The Hive Gallery (Ocean Grove, VIC)
2024 Discover, Nakunbalook Centre (Sale, VIC)
2024 East Gippsland Art Gallery WRAP Small Artwork Exhibition (Bairnsdale, VIC)
2024 Firkin Small Vessels, Swann Reach Hall (Swann Reach, VIC)
2024 Swell Smalls Art, Broadbeach Community Centre (Mermaid Waters, QLD)
2024 Fired Up, Meeniyan Art Gallery (Meeniyan, VIC)
2023 East Gippsland Art Gallery WRAP Small Artwork Exhibition (Bairnsdale, VIC)
2023 Firkin Small Vessels, Swann Reach Hall (Swann Reach, VIC)
2023 Ammil, Foundry Hallway Gallery (Bairnsdale, VIC)
2023 Feels Like Home, Jackie Jones Gallery (Heyfield, VIC)
2023 Through Fire & Flame, Segue Community Gallery (Stratford, VIC)
2022 East Gippsland Art Gallery WRAP Small Artwork Exhibition (Bairnsdale, VIC)

Awards

2025 Finalist: Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence (Metcalfe Gallery, Brisbane, QLD)
2023 Second Place: Red Bluff I, II & III, Firkin Small Vessel Prize (Swann Reach, VIC)
2022 Winner Sculpture Prize: Natives – Eucalyptus, EGAG WRAP Small Artwork Prize (Bairnsdale, VIC)

Public Acquisitions