Nicolette Johnson is an accomplished Brisbane ceramic artist, who’s work explores our connection to the natural world and the powerful meaning we assign to objects.

In this portrait Nicolette is perched on the side of a couch and is pensively staring down. She is absorbed in her own thoughts with her fidgeting hands echoing her distraction. The light from the window fills the room with a gentle glow. Expressive brushwork and vibrant colours are evident, yet it communicates a sense of a calm, reflective moment.

A figurine on the window sill and one of Nicolette’ sculptures is one of the few hints that we are in the artist’s home studio. The sculpture is called The Little Beast, and was originally created in grief but now is considered by Nicolette to embody hope and resilience.

Nicolette’s work is included in the permanent collections of The National Gallery of Victoria, The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Museum of Brisbane, and the Griffith University Art Museum.