Nikki Powell - deeply organic

Nikki Powell’s creative spark ignited early — during a Year 9 Variety Concert where she danced in handmade costumes layered with outrageous make-up. It was the performing, the making, the artistry — all of it — that hooked her. That moment planted a seed that continues to grow through her ceramic practice today.

Nikki’s pottery is deeply organic, in both form and process. She hand-builds her pieces, often coaxing clay into shapes it stubbornly resists. Rather than forcing strict plans, she works intuitively, allowing each piece to evolve as it will.

“If I plan too much, I’m inevitably disappointed,” she says.

For Nikki, the magic lies in starting, letting go, and seeing where the clay leads.

Her work often draws on themes of people, flora, and historical periods, with a particular affection for the unusual, the weird, and the delightfully different. She loves transforming everyday objects into something playful and artistic — like her much-loved alien sugar bowl and milk jug set — pieces that invite use as much as admiration.

Nature is a constant source of inspiration, especially plant forms. Leaves, tendrils, and petals currently dominate her focus, even as she wrestles with their fragility during the green stage of clay. These challenges are part of the joy, part of learning.

When Nikki is in the studio, time disappears. The space is calm and quiet, often accompanied by gentle classical music. Words and lyrics are avoided — they shift her mood too easily — and instead, she settles into a meditative flow where even blinking feels optional.

WINNER IN THE 3D SCULPTURE

Nikki recently entered the Boyup Brook Art Awards held February. Nikki was 1st Prize Winner in the 3D Sculpture section with - Lou's Biomech Repairs

Still early in her ceramic journey, Nikki is learning, changing, and growing with every piece. This is her first year on the Blackwood River Arts Trail, and she’s thrilled to be “a patch in this huge tapestry.” If her work makes someone smile, pause, or want to take it home and use it every day, she considers that a success.

Nikki will be exhibiting at the Boyup Brook Visitor Centre "The Little Art Gallery", cnr Bridge3 and Abel St, Boyup Brook during the Blackwood River Arts Festival 28 March - 6 April 2026