Nanna Bayer, portrait by Luisa Brimble

Curriculum vitae

Nanna Bayer

Ceramist, ecologist, teacher. Finnish-Tasmanian. Based in South Hobart, Tasmania.


Suspended Animation light sculpture at Design Tasmania

Solo exhibitions

Solo

  • I Know You Are There, TMAG Bond Store (Beakerstreet), Hobart, 2026
  • Older? Wiser? Stronger?, Devonport Regional Gallery, 2022
  • Parallel Paths, Handmark Gallery, Hobart, 2016
  • Bunker Gallery, Coffs Harbour, 2013
  • In the Land of Wonders?, Handmark Gallery, Hobart, 2012
  • Nasienie II, Galleria Norsu, Helsinki, 2009
  • Gallery Can Can, Lonstrup, 2008
  • Futon Ya San, Auckland, 2005
  • ArteMano, Winterthur, 2004
  • Galleria Ofeigur, Reykjavik, 2001

a magna laetus flos 1 — nerikomi micro-sculptural work at Paranaple Arts Centre

Group exhibitions

Selected group

  • Tasmania Makes 25, Design Tasmania, 2025
  • Australian Ceramics Triennale, Handmark Gallery, 2019
  • Seek. Clay. Make, Kerrie Lowe Gallery, Sydney, 2013
  • Agathons Party, Iloa-Joy, Gallery Coppersmithy, Fiskars, 2013
  • Ceramega 2012, Art Center of Voipaala, Valkeakoski, 2012
  • Rautarouvat (Iron Ladies), Gallery Coppersmithy, Fiskars, 2011
  • Opposite Poles, Artisan Gallery, Robigana, 2010
  • 10th Kohila International Ceramics Symposium, Tallinn, 2010
  • Salaisuus / Secret, Fiskars Granery, 2010
  • Masters Exhibition, Gudgegong Gallery, Gulgong, 2010
  • World Ceramic Biennale 2007 Korea, Ichon, 2007
  • Dialogue, National Gallery of Arts, Tirana, 2007
  • Fiskars Design Village, Museo Franz Mayer, Mexico City, 2008
  • Fiskars Design Village, Centro Cultural Santo Domingo, Oaxaca, 2009
  • Fiskars Design Village, Centro Cultural Clavijero, Morelia, 2008
  • Fiskars Design Village, Ozone Living Design Center, Tokyo, 2006
  • Fiskars Design Village, Koumi-Machi Kougen Museum of Art, Koumi, 2006
  • Fiskars Design Village, Mediateque, Sendai, 2006
  • Sato / Harvest, Fiskars Granery, 2006
  • Elite-Tile 2006, Museo de Arte Moderno, Santo Domingo, 2006
  • Experience Finland, Bistolfi Showroom, Roma, 2009
  • Eldens magi / Magic of Fire, Rockstadmuseet, Arvika, 2009
  • World Ceramic Biennale 2001 Korea, Ichon, 2001
  • Elite-Tile 2002, Igneri Foundation, Santo Domingo, 2002
  • Cup 2000, Museum of Applied Arts, Belgrade, 2000
  • Klar Form / Clear Form, Ekebyhovs Slott, Stockholm, 2000

Fire sculpture at the 2019 Australian Ceramics Triennale

Commissions

Commissions

  • Little Penguin nesting modules, Derwent Estuary (2021–2024, with IMAS and Birdlife Tasmania)
  • 3-metre fire sculpture, Australian Ceramics Triennale, Hobart (2019, with Selena de Carvalho)
  • 200-piece dinner set, MONA, Hobart (2014)
  • Architectural ceramic panels, MONA Oyster Bar (2014)
  • Pentagon, teepee top, MONA (2012)
  • Verwandlungskreis firing sculpture, Berlin (2002, with Joergen Hansen)
  • Elite-Tile, Igneri Foundation, Dominican Republic (2006, 2002)
  • Vakeva Maa, Terra Artis Sculpture Parks, Finland (2005)

Ocean Flower series nerikomi porcelain vessel showing layered coloured-clay pattern

Collections

Collections

  • Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Hobart
  • National Gallery of Australia
  • Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG)
  • WOCEF (World Ceramic Exposition Foundation), South Korea
  • Igneri Foundation, Dominican Republic
  • Vakeva Maa / Terra Artis Sculpture Parks, Finland

Background

Qualifications

  • Ceramics, Ceramics School of Posio, Finland (1991)
  • Fashion and Fur, School for Fashion and Fur, Frankfurt am Main (1989)
  • Arts and Crafts, School for Arts and Crafts, Hollola, Finland (1985)

Professional practice

  • Co-organiser, Australian Ceramics Triennale, Hobart (2019)
  • Representing Finland, Nordic-Balkan symposium, Gothenburg (2005)
  • Several juried ceramic fairs, Germany and France (2005–07)
  • Tiles for traditional Scandinavian fireplaces, international workshop, Somero (2001)
  • Udu and Okarino, international ceramic workshop, Somero (1999)

Publications

  • ABC Organic Gardener Issue 159 — feature on herbal sauna practice (2025)
  • La Ceramica — Italian ceramic magazine (2011)
  • At Work in Fiskars — book featuring fourteen Fiskars artists (2011)
  • Aterseende — book, Sweden (2009)
  • Shopping in Finland — studio-gallery selected (2009)
  • YLE: K-Reppu, Maailman vanhin ammatti: Nanna Bayer — Finnish TV (2008)
  • Neue Keramik / New Ceramic 3/2005 — German ceramic magazine (2005)