Artist Bio
Ilona Topolcsanyi
A Melbourne-based potter, Ilona initially completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Chinese Medicine) at Victoria University (2000) before embarking on ceramics-based studies at Box Hill Institute of TAFE, completing a Diploma of Arts, Ceramics (2008). During this time she also completed a skills development artist residency at the International Ceramic Centre in Keshkemet, Hungary. In 2022, Ilona completed a Grad Dip in Fine Art - ceramics.
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Ilona has made tableware for many of Australia’s critically acclaimed restaurants including Brae (VIC), Aria (NSW) and QGOMA (QLD).
Her latest venture is a collaboration with the iconic Bendigo Pottery, where she has developed ‘The Good Plate’ range that also contributes to training refugees in the hospitality industry.
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Her work has been included in various exhibitions including C3, The Convent Gallery and The Australian Design Centre National Touring Exhibition. She has recently been the recipient of Delicious Magazine’s Design Excellence Award.
Education
2019 – 2022 Federation University, Graduate Diploma Fine Arts Ceramics
2009 Box Hill Institute of TAFE, Cert IV New Small Business
2007- 2008 Box Hill Institute of TAFE, Diploma of Arts – Ceramics
1998- 2001 Victoria University of Technology, Bachelor of Health Sciences - Chinese Med
1995- 1996 Southern School of Natural Therapies, Diploma of Remedial Massage
1989- 1994 St Aloysius College, VCE Certificate
Professional Experience
2023 Australian Ceramics Triennale, Speaker
2008 – 2023 Cone11 Design + Ceramics Studio, Ceramicist / Partner / Director
2010 – 2023 Melbourne Clay Ceramics School, Owner / Director / Teacher
2012 – 2013 Abbotsford Convent Pop Up Shop, Director
2002 - 2006 Clarinda Pottery Co-Operative, Founder and Manger
Exhibitions /Commissions
2018 – 2019 Australian Design Centre, NSW, ‘Clay Intersections’ Travelling Exhibition
2017 Design Made, NSW, ‘Design Made’ Australian Makers Showcase
2016 Open House Melbourne
2016 Australian Design Centre, NSW, ‘Clay Intersections’ Ceramics Group Show
2015 All Press Studio, ‘Menske’
2014 Gallery of Modern Art, G20 International Summit -Official Dinner
2014 Melbourne Now, VIC, ‘Melbourne Now’ Studio Showcase
2014 C3 Contemporary Art Gallery, ‘Threads of Memory’
2014 Abbotsford Convent, ‘Held for Questioning’ Outdoor Installation
2011 Clune Ceramic Award, Finalist – ‘Threads of Memory’
2010 Craft Cubes Festival, Threads Of Memory
2008 Craft Victoria, VIC, ‘Encounter’, Month of Making
2008 Yarra Sculpture Space, VIC, ‘Edge’, Sculpture Exhibition
2008 Box Hill Institute, VIC, Meat Market Graduate Exhibition
Awards
2017 Delicious Produce Awards, Winner - Outstanding Design
2008 Box Hill Institute of TAFE, Winner – Student of The Year
Publications
2023 Journal Australian Ceramics, Cover Feature
2018 Journal Australian Ceramics, Cone 11 Feature –
2017 Brae by Dan Hunter, Feature Potter
2016 Home Beautiful, Cone 11 Feature – Rhythm of Life
2015 James Viles –Grow, Gather Cook
2014 Gallery Modern Art QLD Harvest Exhibition.
2006 Ceramics Art and Perception Dysfunction Construction
Residencies
2007 International Ceramics Studio - Kecskemet Hungary
2006 International Ceramics Studio - Kecskemet Hungary
2005 Stuart Ceramics Studio, Mittagong NSW