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Cindy Tong is a ceramic artist working on GunaiKurnai Country 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.

Through close observation of the natural world, Cindy explores the subtle processes of growth, erosion, adaptation and renewal, translating these rhythms, textures and transformations into ceramic form.

“I am not trying to recreate nature. I am trying to understand it.”

Her work is informed by the quiet patterns found in foliage, seed capsules, waterways and geological formations. Rather than depicting nature directly, she responds to the processes that continually shape it, creating vessels that invite closer observation and contemplation.

Wheel-thrown and altered or hand-built, her forms balance intention with curiosity. Carving is central to her practice, with techniques such as Mishima, Sgraffito and fluting becoming part of the clay itself rather than surface decoration. Pattern, texture and form work together to create pieces that feel both familiar and quietly unexpected – much like the natural world from which they emerge.

“I believe the natural world has much to teach us when we pay attention.”

Cindy has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions throughout Australia, including multiple exhibitions with Michael Reid Murrurundi. She was a finalist in the 2025 Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence. Alongside her sculptural practice, she creates small-batch functional ware, bringing the same considered approach to objects designed to be held, used and lived with.

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