About

Cindy Tong is a ceramic artist working on GunaiKurnai Land in Sale, Gippsland. After more than a decade in graphic design, she transitioned into ceramics in 2018, seeking a practice grounded in material, process, and physical engagement. Clay offered a way to work beyond the screen – slower, more intuitive, and shaped by touch.

Her work is informed by close observation of the natural world, particularly foliage, seed capsules, and geological textures. Rather than literal representation, Cindy translates these references into refined, thoughtfully constructed forms. Her practice blends intention with curiosity: wheel-thrown vessels altered for movement, hand-built pieces shaped for presence, and surfaces developed through carving, fluting, and traditional decorative techniques such as mishima and sgraffito. Pattern is integral to the form, becoming part of the clay itself.

An emerging ceramicist, Cindy has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions locally and nationally, including multiple exhibitions with Michael Reid Murrurundi. She was named a finalist in the 2025 Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence. Alongside her gallery work, she produces small-batch functional ware for everyday use, bringing the same considered approach to objects designed to be held, used, and lived with.

Exhibitions

• 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)

Group Exhibitions

• 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 & Accolades

• 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) 

Stockists

• 2025 Little Oberon Cafe (Fish Creek, VIC)
• 2025 Main Street Merchants (Sale, VIC)
• 2024-25 Segue Community Arts Cafe & Gallery (Stratford, VIC)
• 2023-25 Latrobe Regional Gallery (Morwell, VIC)
• 2022-25 Foundry (Bairnsdale, VIC)
• 2022-25 Gippsland Art Gallery (Sale, VIC)
• 2022-25 Chau Chak Wing Museum Shop, The University of Sydney (Camperdown, NSW)
• 2023-25 Jackie Jones (Heyfield, VIC)

Membership

• Since 2021 The Australian Ceramics Association
• Since 2022 National Association for the Visual Arts 

Teaching

• 2025 Marbled Clay Workshop at Gippsland Art Gallery (Sale, VIC)
• 2024 Sgraffito Workshop Instructor at The Klei Studio & Co (Stratford, VIC)
• 2022-23 Assistant Instructor at The Clay Place (Eagle Point, VIC)

Training

• 2024 Masterclass Workshop with Moondobang (Gerringong, NSW)
• 2022-24 Mentorship with Malcolm Boyd (Fernbank, VIC)
• 2024 Masterclass Workshop with Tortus (Torquay, VIC)
• 2019-21 Intermediate Term Classes with The Clay Place (Eagle Point, VIC)
• 2018-19 Beginner Term Classes with Zeynep Testoni Ceramics (Gerroa, NSW)

Education

• 2012-14 Diploma of Graphic Design, CATC Design School, Online