ASSOCIATED

Eden Wellings is a self-taught ceramicist who creates lighting sculptures through hand-building techniques. With a background in interior design, focusing on textiles she weaves in the appearance of fabric in weightless folds, tears and creases. Her ceramic objects highlight the presence through absence of space, light and their cast shadows.

“Having the opportunity to play, create and experiment in a professional studio like JamFactory is truly a pinch me moment. I am looking forward to further developing my artistic identity and brand, with the support and collaboration of this generous community.”

Alexis Mason is a ceramic artist whose work reflects the interplay between humanity and nature. Initially grounded in the practicality of functional tableware, her practice has gradually expanded into sculptural and utilitarian vessel. Drawing on influences of biomimicry and animistic traditions, she combines hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques to explore transformation, connection, and the inherent vitality within natural forms.

“My work is driven by a quiet obsession with the way in which form and material come together to create utility and artistry. As an Associate at JamFactory I am so excited to develop and refine my skills, embrace the creative opportunities that this program offers and to learn from and collaborate with the talented professionals within this vibrant community.”

Belinda Guerin is an emerging ceramicist living and working on Kaurna Country in Tarntanya/Adelaide. She graduated from the University of South Australia in 2023 with a Bachelor of Contemporary Art, exploring a variety of ceramic methods throughout her studies. Belinda's work is inspired by the visual storytelling of medieval art and folk tales. She seeks to communicate the modern human experience through symbolic drawings and sculptural elements.

“I am so grateful to be entering this stage of my career equipped with such amazing facilities and mentors. Finding a home in a multi-disciplinary community of skilled makers will provide so much support as I explore new avenues of creation and expand my practice. I am so excited for all of the knowledge, growth, and relationships I will gain through my Associateship.”

Wee Shiang Tay is an emerging ceramic artist from Malaysia and is currently based on Kaurna Country in Tarntanya/Adelaide. Whilst studying a degree in Contemporary Art at the University of South Australia, she discovered her love for ceramics. Creating functional and sculptural vessels using a combination of wheel throwing and hand building techniques, Shiang’s works are playful and bright; her practice takes inspiration from gachapon (capsule toys), animated characters, animals, and figurines.

“To be a part of JamFactory is an experience I am so grateful for. I am thrilled to not only be able to further develop my technical skills, but to also learn from and grow with other creative practitioners across the different art fields.”

Emma Franklin is a multidisciplinary artist from Mparntwe/Alice Springs, whose practice often centres around collaborative and community arts initiatives. Over the last decade, Em has worked on diverse art projects with remote communities across the Central and Western Deserts, as both a facilitator and technician, working across ceramics, fibre art, screen-printing and illustration. In her solo practise, Em is currently exploring subversive notions of loss, dejection, and failure, incorporating clay, fibre, and discarded metal salvaged from burnt out cars.

“I am awed by the expansiveness of ceramics, the endless possibilities for material exploration and discovery, and the way that working with clay cultivates an acceptance, even celebration, of failure… Having lived in a remote area for the last decade, I feel immeasurably lucky to be working alongside so many skilled and generous makers. I hope to use my time at JamFactory to experiment, play, and ask thousands of questions.”

Oliver Hyde is a Tarntanya (Adelaide) based maker. Oliver ponders the cultural meanings of process in the creation of his objects. He aims to create pieces with a character that bleeds into the surroundings, becoming a part of the singular entity that is the space.

“During the program, I look forward to working playfully with form, proportion and texture while incorporating new processes and materials. An important part of achieving this will be to tap into the expertise of the Furniture Studio personnel and to work in new mediums by collaborating across different studios at JamFactory.”

SATURDAY YARD WORK by Nathan Martin is a Tarntanya/Adelaide based practice that aims to find a medium between sculpture, craft, and functional objects, through experimentation of material and processes. Nathan looks to the unorthodox methods of production and through this, seeks to find surprising visual and sensory results displayed through form and texture. In the creation of one-off pieces, Nathan’s experimental and process-led design approach aims to celebrate the offbeat, the ugly, and all nuances of hand produced objects.

“My practice has allowed me to explore unique approaches to making. Through the program I hope to utilise the opportunity to expand on current works and experiment with new methods and techniques to inform future projects.”

Rashmi Subudhi, a furniture designer hailing from the University of South Australia in Tarntanya/Adelaide, channels her expertise and inquisitiveness about materials and processes into her practice. Through experimentation, she creates captivating forms in objects and furniture, showcasing her innovative approach.

“I’m dedicated to crafting unique designs, with meticulous attention to detail that are elegant in their simplicity. JamFactory’s Associate Program offers me an invaluable chance to explore my design aesthetics and craft a collection that embodies my passion for thoughtful craft and design while pushing creative boundaries through material combinations.”

Bindi Nimmo, an emerging glass artist from Whanganui, Aotearoa (New Zealand), graduated with a Diploma of Arts and Design from UCOL in 2022, laying the foundation for her exploration of glass as a medium. She has immersed herself in the glass community through internships at Starworks, North Carolina (2023), and New Zealand Glassworks (2024), which were key in shaping her technical skills. Bindi is currently exploring curiously in her practice, finding inspiration in obscure, organic, and otherworldly forms.

“I am currently focusing on symmetrical blown vessels before exploring abstract designs. I am captivated by glass for its balance of control and spontaneity. Through colour, pattern, and shape, I hope to reflect themes of happiness, nostalgia, and human connection, inviting viewers to share in a moment of emotional discovery. As an Associate I hope to build a strong connection among other artists and disciplines while continuing to develop and evolve my own unique style.”

Bradley East is a multidisciplinary artist, curator and designer. Working both as a glassblower and engraver, Bradley’s work prioritises a process-based approach to making, where function comes before form, and where form is refined and simple while surface is multifaceted and complex.

“I’m as interested in the ‘what’ about an object as the ‘why’, I believe design is emotional and influences us profoundly and individually. I have joined JamFactory to refine and expand my visual language in the hopes of creating work that resonates now and into the future.”

Hugo Curtis, a second-generation glass artist, was raised in and around glass art. He first tried glassblowing at age 12 and instantly fell in love. Since then, he’s been honing his skills, creating small works, and experimenting with production and larger exhibition pieces.

“Working with glass is like a dance, too hot, it collapses; too cold, it cracks. You guide it, not force it. Things will break and all you can say is such is life and learn. JamFactory has the best hands-on learning to allow those mistakes and learn from them.”

Léa Tarakdjian is a glassblower and designer who explores the delicate balance between material, form, and interaction. Her work blends traditional craft with playful experimentation, creating objects that spark curiosity, invite touch, and reveal beauty in both function and subtle detail.
“My practice is a conversation with glass—shaping, stretching, and discovering its possibilities. Through the Associate Program, I hope to refine my technique, explore new forms, and immerse myself in a creative community that inspires experimentation, dialogue, and the evolution of my artistic voice.”

Rory Branson is an emerging glass artist who has completed a Bachelor of Art in Glass at ANU’s School of Art & Design. Rory's practice is based on a sculptural analysis, informed by the poetic demands of material. This exploration is built around the balance and contrast of biomorphic and geometric structures that inform perception, light, and optics through varying densities. Rory is also investigating and developing art objects that serve a utilitarian focus.

“I am absorbed in pursuing new material applications to my evolving practice to help find processes that compliment my aesthetic language. My time during the Associate Program will help me forge a sustainable career and future as an artist.”

Kathryn Starrs is a glass artist who was most recently based out of Asheville, North Carolina, USA since 2018. She was born in Auckland, New Zealand and moved to California with her family at the age of seven. In 2015 while completing her Bachelor of Fine Art in Ceramics at California State University of Fullerton she encountered glass and decided to pursue it as a career; and has been doing production and freelance glasswork ever since.

“I am interested in creating both functional and non-functional glass art; objects that you can use in your everyday life such as an engaging cup or something that enriches your life by elevating the spaces we exist in.  My time at JamFactory as an Associate is an opportunity to further strive for technical excellence, design new products and hone in on my own unique artistic style in glass. There is a wealth of knowledge and skillsets available in the community surrounding this space that I am here to tap into.”

After graduating with a degree in Art History, Connor began learning metalworking techniques at JamFactory before moving to Spain to study collections throughout Europe. Connor’s practice revolves around synthesising his academic background with his needs as an artmaker. He incorporates traditional techniques into contemporary work as a way of achieving “preservation through practice.”

“Hammering, melting, and carving not only draw me further into the materiality of what I do, but also toward a deeper consideration of past and present, theory and practice, and the ways that visual languages can interact across time. This exploration of artmaking as art history fieldwork is something that only JamFactory could facilitate.”

Renee Becker is an emerging Jeweller and maker from Naarm (Melbourne). Since graduating from Melbourne Polytechnic in 2023, she has cultivated her personal practice while curating group exhibitions, including ‘Senti-metal’ at Radiant Pavilion. Drawing inspiration from life’s subtleties, she blends humour and heartfelt sentiment into her work.

“Through my practice, I hope to offer a genuine reflection of life’s balance and encourage a playful appreciation for the richness and levity found in everyday moments. I look forward to expanding my jewellery practice and exploring more conceptual objects at JamFactory.”

Jasper Goldney is a jewellery designer with a curiosity and passion for natural history. Playing with mixed metals and drawing from a range of cultural and historical influences, he creates jewellery that tells a playful narrative and often acts as an homage to the intricate beauty of life on Earth.

“I feel addicted to the process of discovering and learning new skills, and I’m excited to experiment as much as possible this year with new techniques to broaden my arsenal. Being in such a contagious creative environment energises me to explore new ideas and push my practice to new frontiers.”

Menna McAlpin is an emerging jeweller from Naarm/Melbourne. They graduated Melbourne Polytechnic in 2023 with an Advance Diploma of Jewellery and Object Design. They have always loved making things with their hands and are inspired by magic in the mundane, queerness and fluidity of identity.

“I utilise my practice to represent my inner world to the outer. I am driven by a deep desire to share how nature, being queer, and my life experiences have shaped the lens through which I see the world. I want to continue to explore my artistic identity and expand my technical skills in the supportive environment of JamFactory.”