About Shane Gallagher
Shane Gallagher is an award-winning ceramic artist based in Auckland whose practice centres on exploring texture and form through the vessel. He pushes both surface and structure to their limits, working with techniques such as layering dry glazes and employing cracking and crawling effects to create richly tactile, unpredictable finishes.
A defining aspect of Shane’s work is its performative nature. By deliberately stepping away from conventional aesthetics, he embraces spontaneity and the unexpected, allowing the clay to guide the process. This approach draws deeply from the Japanese concepts of Wabi, Sabi, and Suki—a philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and authenticity.
Shane’s pieces exist in the space between function and sculpture, inviting a sense of connection, honesty, and simplicity. Influenced by both Japanese pottery traditions and Western sculptural forms, his work fuses cultural sensibilities into a singular, expressive voice in contemporary ceramics.
Curriculum Vitae
Exhibitions / Residencies / Awards
• Fire & Clay: Auckland Studio Potters (Aug 2025)
• Fire & Clay: Auckland Studio Potters (Aug 2024)
• Uku Exhibition Selection, Napier Arts Centre (Sept 2024)
• Blossom Festival Selection (October 2024)
• Merit Award, Group Exhibition Otago Potters, Community Gallery (Aug 2022)
• Group Exhibition Auckland Potters, Pah Homestead (2021)
• Group Exhibition Auckland Potters, Pah Homestead (2019)
• Group Exhibition Auckland Potters, Allpress Gallery (2018)
• Group Exhibition Auckland Potters, Pah Homestead (2018)
• Solo Exhibition, Whitespace Auckland (Nov 2017)
• On Air, solo exhibition, ASP Gallery Auckland (May 2016)
• Auckland Studio Potters annual group show, Pah Homestead (Nov 2015)
• Transformed Earth Show, Thistle Hall Gallery Wellington (April 2015)
• Wellington Potters Show, Respace Gallery (Nov 2014)
• Young and Gifted Exhibition, performing ‘Shards’, NZAFA (Jan 2014)
• Portage Ceramic Exhibition, Lopdell House Gallery, The Silos Auckland (Oct 2013)
• Wellington Potters Association Exhibition Merit Award, NZAFA (2013)
• Wellington Potters Association Artist in Residence (2013)
• Portage Ceramic Exhibition, Lopdell House Gallery, The Cloud Auckland (Oct 2012)
• Small Works Exhibition, BSG Gallery, Melbourne (2011)
• McKenzie and Willis START Exhibition (2008)
• Ballantynes Ceramic Exhibition (2004)
• Ballantynes Emerging Artist Award (2004)
• Artist at CREATION Christchurch (2002-2004)
• Allegory Christmas Show (2003)
• Southern Clays Ceramic Award, Graduate Exhibition (2002)
• Dunedin School of Art Graduate Exhibition (2002)
Education and Training
• Advance Diploma of Fine Arts: Major Painting (Design & Arts College 2009)
• Graduate Certificate Design (CPIT 2006)
• Bachelor of Fine Arts: Major Ceramic Art (Otago Polytechnic 2002)
Teaching Experience
Current
• Botpots Clay Studios, wheel throwing(Botany)
Past
• Short Course (sculptural pots) – Botpots Takapuna
• Lake House Arts Centre (Beginners Pottery)
• Auckland Studio Potters (Sager Firing Workshop)
• Onslow College Wellington (Beginners Classes)
• Wellington Potters Association (Experimental Ceramics Workshop)
• Wellington Potters Association (One on One Tuition)