Experimental Sculpture in Clay

In this workshop, you’ll explore a variety of hands-on clay-building techniques while creating a series of bold, abstract sculptures. Projects will include both freestanding and wall-mounted pieces, giving you the chance to experiment across different formats and scales. Tina Wheatley begins the course with a focus on clay foundations, teaching you essential hand-building methods such as pinching, coiling, and slab construction. From there, you’ll move into wheel work, crafting simple thrown forms that can be cut, reshaped, and integrated into your sculptural designs.

Throughout the workshop, the emphasis will be on process and experimentation. While revisiting the fundamentals of working with clay, you’ll also be encouraged to take creative risks, exploring how texture, gesture, and form can transform raw material into expressive, evocative works. Tina will provide both technical guidance and conceptual prompts, supporting you in moving beyond traditional pottery and developing a personal approach to form-making.

This workshop is open to all experience levels. Whether you are brand new to clay or an experienced maker looking to expand your sculptural practice, you’ll find space to explore, experiment, and create thought-provoking pieces using humble materials and inventive building techniques.

* Please note: There are three course breaks in Term Two. There will be NO class on: Saturday 25 April, Saturday 23 May and Saturday 6 June.

* The course fee incorporates the cost for materials such as clay.

* NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students between 15 - 17 years of age.

* What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below.

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

• Reference materials (e.g. photos, drawings etc)
• A4 sketch pad or artist's diary
• Drawing materials
• Towel and protective clothes (old shirt or apron) 
• Any ceramics tools that you may already have 
• All clay and other materials are provided 
• We recommend students bring a P2 KN95 disposable mask 
• Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus. 

Tina Wheatley is a Sydney-based artist working on Dharawal Country in South Western Sydney. Her interdisciplinary practice combines textile-based craft techniques such as knitting and crochet with ceramic processes including wheel-throwing, hand-building, and slip casting. Her work explores abstracted bodily forms and classical vessels, engaging with themes of time, care, strength, and vulnerability.

Tina holds a Master of Fine Art (Ceramics) from the National Art School (2023), where she received graduate awards from The Australian Ceramics Association and Kil.n.it Experimental Ceramics Studio. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Creative Arts from the University of Wollongong, and a Bachelor of Teaching from Western Sydney University.
She has extensive experience as an arts educator, working with schools, councils, galleries, and community organisations across Western Sydney to deliver creative learning programs. In 2024, she held her first solo exhibition, Burnout, and has exhibited in group shows and prizes including the 2024 Muswellbrook Art Prize, Held (The Australian Ceramics Association), and multiple times in the Fisher’s Ghost Art Award.