Objects form the threads that pass folk traditions through generations. They imbue their symbolism through repackaged stories and cultural journeys like an embroidered quilt or a string in traditional folk music. The vessel in my culture has traditionally held water, provided nourishment and life and in sacred ceremony been the symbol for abundance. Vessel looks to the roots of a shared beginning.
Minaal Lawn makes intimate, domestic scale ceramic objects that celebrate the reconciliation of her Indian heritage with her Australian upbringing. Her work examines the transformation from an inherited culture, revisiting childhood stories and object symbolism, to one that is owned.
Minaal’s work has been curated into group shows at CLAD Gallery (Bendigo, 2020) and Daine Singer (Fitzroy, 2019) among others. She has held solo shows at Corner Store Merchants (Castlemaine, 2020), ArtBox (Merrricks, 2019) and Happy Melon Studios (Prahran, 2018). Her work has been included in Clunes Ceramic Awards (finalist, 2019), The Du Rietz Art Awards (finalist, 2019), The Wyndham Art Prize (finalist, 2019), Saint Cloche Gallery (Little Things Art Prize finalist, 2018). She has collaborated with fashion brands Radical Yes (2019, 2018) and Nelson (2018) to create in-store installations and product specific works.