Material & Embodiment

A Ceramic Student Exhibition – AUArts

April 14—May 2, 2025

Material & Embodiment explores the intersection of form, process, and meaning in contemporary ceramic practice. This exhibition features work by emerging artists who engage with clay as both a material and a conceptual medium. Through various techniques—hand-building, wheel-throwing, and experimental approaches—each piece reflects a unique dialogue between materiality and human experience.

As clay shifts from soft to solid, from earth to object, it retains traces of touch, intention, and transformation. This exhibition invites viewers to explore ceramics not only as an artistic form, but as a vessel of embodied experience where material and meaning are deeply intertwined.

Join us in celebrating the depth and versatility of ceramics.

About the Artists

Eryka Bruder

I am a ceramicist who primarily works with mid-fire clay, underglazes, and glazes due to their excellent color retention properties. My work balances two stylistic approaches—one that embraces bright, vibrant colors and intricate details, and another that leans toward neutral, natural tones. My forms are typically medium in scale, incorporating a combination of smooth surfaces and sharp, angular elements.

Growing up in a small town in Southern Alberta, I have always felt a deep connection to the land, and natural elements such as plants and wildlife frequently appear in my work. This connection is central to my sense of identity and place. At the same time, I am drawn to travel as a means of self-discovery, which has led me to explore themes of saving money and the relationship between financial planning and exploration. My travels, particularly to the Netherlands, have sparked an interest in Delftware ceramics, and I have begun incorporating aspects of this traditional practice into my surface designs.

Maria Jose Frausto Ontiveros

I’m Maria Jose Frausto Ontiveros, I’m currently an undergraduate student in the School of Craft at the Alberta University of Arts. Working to develop my ceramic work to display new and challenging skills while celebrating my Mexican heritage through traditional Mexican ceramic techniques.

Mandolin Martin

Mandolin Martin is a ceramics major at Alberta University of the Arts. As a multidisciplinary artist, she primarily focuses on pottery, drawing inspiration from her deep connection to the natural world. Growing up in the mountains and forests of rural British Columbia, Martin finds influence in nature’s forms, designs, and concepts.

Her artistic journey reflects the ever-changing landscape through experimentation and atmospheric firings. By utilizing a variety of techniques, surface designs, forms, and glazes, her work emulates atmospheric effects. Through this process, she seeks to capture the variability and constant state of transition inherent in all natural things.

Minh Nguyen

Minh Nguyen is a Vietnamese-Canadian artist specializing in ceramics. She has been practicing art for seven years at Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts), where she has been a student since 2018. Currently majoring in ceramics, she has dedicated the past three years to exploring the medium in depth.

Born and raised in Vietnam, a country where the land is embraced by both sea and mountains, Minh draws inspiration from nature, which is a central theme in her work. She is fascinated by the idea of preserving natural elements, capturing them in ceramic forms that resemble artifacts in her own Cabinet of Curiosities.

During her time at AUArts, Minh has also explored other artistic disciplines, including glass, graphic design, and animation, all of which inform her creative practice. She is set to graduate in Spring 2026.

As an artist, Minh aspires to share the beauty and stories of her homeland through her work while also raising awareness of critical social issues, from environmental conservation to gender equality—all through the lens of nature. Looking ahead, she hopes to exhibit her work widely, using

Tess Swain

Tess Swain was born and raised in the small rural Alberta town of Rocky Mountain House. They moved to Mohkinstis, also known as Calgary in 2019. They are currently an undergraduate student at the Alberta University of the Arts pursuing a BFA majoring in Ceramics. Art has always been an important aspect of their life, growing up with interests and experience with music, theatre, and the visual arts. Tess’ art practice connects to their identity and experiences as a queer person with autism and ADHD. Their art looks at mental health struggles and they also explore texture and themes of nature.

Ashlynn Tsoi

Ashlynn Tsoi is a ceramic artist specializing in both sculptural and functional ceramics. Born in Calgary, Alberta, and raised in Bragg Creek on Tsuut’ina Treaty 7 land, she comes from a multicultural background, with a Chinese father and a Caucasian mother. Her artistic practice is deeply influenced by relationships, conversation, and a profound connection to the natural landscapes she grew up in. She values the ever-growing support of her community, including mentors, siblings, family, friends, and the children she hopes to inspire.