The Portage Ceramic Awards is an annual exhibition of contemporary ceramics in Aotearoa. The award was established in 2001 and embraces the rich history of working with clay in West Auckland.

Portage 2024 includes 42 works by 40 artists, some of whom are well-established and have been finalists in the Portage many times before. For others, this is the first time entering the awards or exhibiting their work. Finalist works range from intimate functional objects to large-scale ephemeral installations. The concerns of the exhibited works are also diverse, embodying the natural world and the origins of clay, the intimate connection between Māori and whenua, the freedom of working with clay, and the precise technicalities of sculpting, firing, and glazing.

This year’s judge is Kate Newby. Hailing from Te Henga / Bethells Beach and now based in Floresville, Texas, Newby has established a global reputation for her expansive approach to ceramics and sculpture.

Premier Award Winner
Wendelien Bakker
Sea of Grass

Merit Award Winners
Raukura Turei
Nau mai e hine

Terry Bell
The Clay Pulls You In

Ted Kindleysides
Figure Bottle Form (set of two)

This exhibition was made possible with the support of TTCF, The Trusts and the Te Uru Benefactors Collective (TBC)