Celia Cramer Shooting Quolls at Mulligans Flat, provided by the Artist 2026.
Capturing the rare
National Threatened Species Collaboration
with Celia Cramer
Opening Night – Wednesday 9 September
5pm-7pm
The LINK Strathnairn
1 McClymont Way
Strathnairn, ACT Australia
@Ginninderry
We are excited to present a special collaboration with artist Celia Cramer, who will be creating a series of ceramic works “Capturing the rare” inspired by the theme of threatened species. Celia’s works will be exhibited alongside the photographic exhibition and presented in partnership with Ginninderry and The Link, Strathnairn. Selected ceramic works will also be available for purchase, we look forward to celebrating and launching Celia’s work in concert with the Threatened Species photographic exhibition opening.
A conversation with Celia Cramer
“The desire to connect with the natural world seems to be inherent to human existence. Not simply for sustenance, but to satisfy some other, less tangible, need. Historically, we created representations of rare animals and plants; collected them; filled our homes with them. Wildlife photography is a continuation of this practice. As photographers hunt opportunities to capture images of the rare and observe the natural world.
This series of ceramics is both a part of, and a response to, practices of collecting representation of the natural world. Here, the rare and threatened species of Celia’s local habitats are represented. In each case, Celia went into the field to observe, and often interact, with the animals and plants depicted.
In December, I observed superb parrots nesting in Little Mulligan’s grasslands. In March, I walked amongst the Southern Brown Bandicoot in the Sanctuary at Tidbinbilla Nature reserve, studied local native grass species with volunteers from Friend of Grasslands. In April, I met captive Eastern Bettongs at the Mulligans Flat Sanctuary with wildlife volunteer, Helen. I learned of their important role in the local ecosystem from ecologist Dr. Catherine Ross the previous year. In May and June, I observed Eastern Quolls in the Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary with amateur photographer, Trevor Coast. In June, I observed scarlet robins and Diamond Firetail finches with Environmental specialist, Sue Mathams. Throughout 2025, I printed the surface of eucalypts native to our threatened yellow box — Blakely’s red gum woodlands.
Celia has endeavoured not simply to reflect the appearance of our local threatened species, but to capture aspects of their behaviour and their role within their ecosystem. Much of this work has been done with the support of wildlife volunteers, ecological researchers, and local amateur photographers. “I am grateful for their enthusiasm, time, and knowledge“
About Celia Cramer
Celia Cramer is an emerging ceramic artist based in Canberra. Her vases, plant pots, and decorative vessels speak of the precious moments of joy that spring from observing the natural world. She began her ceramic practice in 2024 after a career in heritage materials conservation and a PhD in the chemistry of historic taxidermy collections. This background equipped her with a focus on detail and a reverence of the processes of hand making that is evident in her work.
Celia works largely in stoneware to create vessels characterised by inlaid (often whimsical) details, variations in the surface plane and functional forms. Her work is made by slowly building up layers of texture and colour to invite tactile exploration. She has exhibited in six group exhibitions in the Canberra region. In 2025, Celia won Craft + Design Canberra’s Creative Challenge Emerging Craftsperson Prize.
Instagram: @celia_cramer_ceramics
Facebook: @celia.cramer.7
