28 May 2022 – 19 February 2023


The ‘Good China’ dinnerware is tenderly laid out for guests as we gather to share a meal. A liquor on a table marks a moment of celebration between friends. A brimming teapot accompanied by freshly baked goods elevates an everyday ritual into a special occasion.

Drawn from the SAM Collection, Social Ceramics celebrates objects as conduits for communal experiences, and features more than 100 works by over 60 ceramicists.

Social Ceramics offers a playful exploration of functional ceramics. The exhibition brings together a lavish array of vessels including Japanese style teapots by Australian Studio Potters Gwyn Hanssen Pigott and Col Levy; cups and coffee pots from Arthur Merric Boyd Pottery; and characteristic Toby Jugs from Bendigo Pottery. Social Ceramics pays tribute to the ways these objects bring us together to create emotional connections over shared conversations around a table.