Nawsheen Hyland - Potter - Whistle and Page

I create pottery for people who have forgotten how much beauty can be hidden in an ordinary day. From my studio in Murrumbateman, I handcraft functional ceramics inspired by Yass Valley, carving its winding roads, weathered fences, rolling pastures and changing seasons into pieces that become part of daily life. I don't think beautiful things belong behind glass. I think they belong beside the kettle.

My story with clay began at 13, when my high school art teacher gave me the freedom to disappear into the art room at lunchtime. My major work was a large sgraffito vessel telling the story of my mum leaving Bangladesh as a young bride, carrying her history, culture and identity with her. Looking back, I realise I wasn't learning pottery. I was learning that stories can live in objects.

Years later, while navigating matrescence, I returned to clay while trying to work out who I was becoming. Pottery didn't give me the answers, but it taught me to pay attention. Sometimes that's enough to change everything.

I'm inspired by landscapes, heritage and words. I believe our voice is one of the greatest gifts we have, and how we use it leaves a mark long after we're gone. That's why I carve places that deserve remembering and write stories that help people notice what has been there all along.

People are often surprised that every landscape is carved freehand. There's no template, no tracing and no undo button—just trust, patience and a willingness to let the clay have an opinion now and then.

Outside the studio, I write children's books for exactly the same reason I make pottery: because I hope someone closes the book, finishes the last sip of tea, looks out the window and sees the world just a little differently.