Celebrating the Female Form: Sophie Johnson Ceramics at Crafted Clay Market

This Sunday, 28th September, Perth’s clay community will gather at Crafted Clay Market, a bi-annual event that shines a light on the talent and creativity of local ceramic artists. The market is a celebration of clay in all its forms, giving potters and ceramicists the chance to share their work, connect with like-minded individuals, and showcase the craft they love. 

Among the makers you’ll meet is Sophie Johnson, the artist behind Sophie Johnson Ceramics, whose sculptural pieces explore beauty, self-love, and the power of the female form.

A Creative Path Rediscovered

Sophie’s journey into ceramics has been anything but straightforward. Her creative spark was lit years ago when she studied ceramics at the University of the Arts London in 2008. But after moving to Perth, pottery took a back seat as she embraced new adventures: travelling, exploring, and raising her children.

It wasn’t until about five years ago that Sophie found her way back to clay. She joined a Saturday class at a local studio, and before long, outgrew it. Becoming a member at Studio P in Leederville was a turning point. Surrounded by other potters overflowing with enthusiasm, she rediscovered not just her skills, but also a sense of community.

“At first, I was just getting used to using my hands again,” Sophie recalls. “I spent a year experimenting with all sorts of techniques, just seeing what made me tick and gave me a spark.”

That spark came in the form of a hand-built, coiled vase representing the female body. It was a deeply therapeutic experience, and from then on Sophie felt compelled to explore the female form through her work.

Celebrating the Female Body

For Sophie, clay has become a medium for storytelling, healing, and self-celebration. After having her children, she was struck by the strength and beauty of her body and those of other women. Through her pieces, she celebrates these forms and the marks they bear.

“Carving my pots and creating folds became almost therapeutic for me,” she says. “These pots celebrate all different types of female forms. We are beautiful.”

Her sculptural vases and vessels carry an honesty that resonates with those who see themselves reflected in her work. One of Sophie’s proudest moments is when someone tells her a piece looks like them. “It never gets old,” she says. “When I hear someone mention that they resinate with a piece because it looks like them, it makes my day.”

A Unique Creative Process

Sophie’s approach to ceramics is fluid and experimental. She works across a variety of techniques, from hand building and throwing to slip casting and altering forms. Often she combines them in unexpected ways—throwing legs on the wheel before coiling the rest of the body, or adding clay to a thrown vessel to sculpt curves and folds.

Sometimes, the process begins simply with observation. “Sometimes I will simply stare at a form for a while and let it talk to me,” Sophie explains. This willingness to let the clay guide her is part of what makes her work so distinctive. No two pieces are alike, and each carries its own story.

Her sustainability practice reflects this thoughtful approach: if she isn’t in love with a piece, it doesn’t get fired. Instead, the clay is reclaimed and used again until it becomes something she truly values.

Balancing Passion and Life

Like many small business owners, Sophie faces the challenge of time. Balancing pottery with her full-time job and family life means sacrificing hours she might otherwise spend with loved ones. Yet pottery is her passion, and she carves out the time because it matters.

“I hope to be able to drop a day next year and focus on one full day during the week to dedicate for pottery,” she shares. “I would love to eventually open my own studio. I would love for my children to watch their mum do what she loves for a living.”

For now, Sophie is focused on learning, making meaningful connections, and building her place in Perth’s pottery community.

Why Crafted Clay Matters

Sophie is especially excited about attending Crafted Clay Market this Sunday. For her, it’s not just about showcasing her work, but about celebrating the clay community itself.

“I love that it’s all clay,” she says. “Pottery nerds are a special breed, and why not get them all together so we can all geek out!”

Crafted Clay Market offers exactly that—a space where potters, collectors, and the clay-curious can come together. Visitors will have the chance to browse Sophie’s unique female form vessels, chat with her about her process, and maybe even take home a piece that resonates with them.

See Sophie at Crafted Clay Market

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet Sophie Johnson Ceramics and explore her work at Crafted Clay Market this Sunday, 28th September 2025, at South Perth Community Hall from 11 am–4 pm. 

Whether you’re an avid collector or just curious about the world of ceramics, Sophie’s stall is sure to offer something memorable and meaningful.

You can follow Sophie’s journey and see more of her work on her Instagram: @sophiejohnsonceramics.

Come along, celebrate Perth’s clay community, and connect with the artists who keep this craft alive.