Artist Bio

Born in regional NSW, Australia, Minna grew up in the Snowy Mountains, immersed in a rich world full of nature and creativity. As a child any artistic endeavour was greatly encouraged which in turn instilled a need to create. Exploring Australia during early adulthood Minna observed life in the remote and harsh landscapes of Australia. Settling in Daylesford, Victoria, Minna enrolled in a Diploma of Ceramics at the University of Ballarat in 2009. Graduating in 2012, Minna was awarded the Brian McLellan Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Minna has since worked as ceramic artist, her work featured in numerous galleries such as Craft Victoria and Sturt Gallery-School of Excellence in Arts, Design and Fabrication. She is a founding member and Director of Clayspace -Daylesford and Region Ceramics Collective since 2010 and continued to work in this role until 2018. Minna regularly conducts workshops and classes both privately and in various institutions. In 2017 Minna was invited to participate as tutor for 'Lakehouse Experiences', Daylesford Lakehouse. Minna began her role as a tutor at Castlemaine Clay in early 2021.
Minna continues to travel and seek out cultures with strong ceramic traditions, learning traditional pottery and firing techniques in Myanmar, East Timor, Cambodia, France, and Romania. Having completed courses in Japan focusing on the tradition of Karatsu ware and Tea Ceremony, Minna now specialises in Teaware. In 2019 Minna won the Australian Cultural Tea Seminar Teacup Competition and was invited as a guest speaker to the Tea Seminar, Hobart.
In 2014 Minna undertook a further year of study at Federation University applying herself to a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Ceramics. During the year Minna was awarded the Albert Coates Memorial Award for Excellence, two Scholarships, as well as being inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society for high achievement in her field. Minna was awarded the INCA Award- Michael Hallam Award for Innovation in Ceramics in early 2018.
Exhibiting regularly in both group and solo shows, Minna's work features in galleries and retail stores across Australia as well as international online stores such as Neue Luxury, catalogues, publications, and collections. In 2020 Minna was invited into the role of Primary Ceramicist for the Finnish Barista Champion for The World Barista Championships. In 2021 Minna received the Highly Commended Functional Teapot Award in the Melbourne Teapot Competition, was shortlisted for the Klytie Pate Ceramics Award in Mansfield Victoria and became a Finalist in both the Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Award NSW and the Melbourne Ikebana Container Award Victoria. More recently, Minna was the 2024 Featured Ceramic Artist at the Warrandyte Pottery Expo and won the Potters Choice Award in 2023. Minna was selected as a finalist for the North Queensland Ceramic Awards in 2024, as well as the Northern Beaches Environmental Art Award held at Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Sydney NSW. Minna continues her ceramics practice, creating sculptural vessels and tableware for a variety of galleries and competitions around Australia.