Isobel Dennis, Collect Fair Director, said: “Clay is such an extraordinary medium and is probably one of the most chameleon, which is why so many artists are drawn to it as a material. It allows for a depth of expression, texture, scale and colour, and Ebony’s work embraces all of these and more. Her playful application of piping porcelain is not only new and innovative; it requires a high level of technical skill and material knowledge. Ebony’s wonderful, characterful, inspiring pieces make her a very fitting winner for this sixth edition of the Brookfield Properties Craft Award.”
The first international artist to receive the Brookfield Properties Craft Award, Russell was selected for her radical reinterpretation of one of the leading names in UK crafts – Wedgwood. Her sculptures offer a reimagining of Wedgewood’s famous ceramics, challenging the relationship between aesthetics and form.
Ebony Russell said: “I am truly honoured to receive the 2025 Brookfield Properties Craft Award. As an Australian artist, it is incredibly meaningful to be recognised with such a prestigious British award. My practice is driven by a deep respect for the handmade, a desire to push the known possibilities of clay, and a commitment to celebrating feminized and matrilineal craft traditions. My Wedgwood-inspired series pays homage to these histories while reinterpreting them through contemporary ceramics, and I am incredibly grateful that this work is being seen and recognised. Being acknowledged alongside such talented finalists is a privilege, and I sincerely thank Brookfield Properties and the Crafts Council for their dedication to supporting craft and makers.”