Meet Mahalia

Mahalia Leckner is an emerging ceramic artist based in the suburbs of Newcastle on Awabakal Land, Australia. She works within The Soap Factory, a shared art collective that brings together predominantly three-dimensional artists.

Mahalia completed a Diploma of Ceramics at Newcastle Art School, Hunter Street TAFE, building upon her prior studies—a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Design at the University of Newcastle. Fascinated by the intersection of ceramics and architecture, she explores this relationship through interior design, functionality, and the unfunctional.

Throwing large vessels on the wheel, she sculpts and forms clay into artworks inspired by the mundane, fleeting fascinations, and odd thoughts, transforming everyday ideas into tangible, tactile pieces.

Exhibitions and Art Prizes

2023

  • Winter Solstice – Group exhibition, Winter’s Night, Newcastle Art Space, Tighes Hill (June 4–18).

  • End of Year Exhibition – Chores series, Newcastle Art School (TAFE), Newcastle (November 8–December 12).

2024

  • Jeepers Creepers – Duo exhibition with Tahlia, LEDA Gallery, Newcastle (March 2–16).

  • Hunter Emerging Art Prize – Finalist in the ceramics category, Chores, Newcastle Art Space, Tighes Hill (March 22–April 5).

  • World Stage Exhibition – Chores series, Emerging Artist Finalist, Gulgong (April 15–21).

  • It’s All in the Detail – Group exhibition, Jeepers Creepers series, Cstudio, Newcastle (June 8–20).

  • Finely Formed – Graduation Exhibition, Basins, Back to Back Gallery, Cooks Hill (June 14–30).

  • Cash. Carry. Claim. – Family of Bottles, The Creator Incubator, Hamilton North.

  • Tenebrous Terrors – Jeepers Creepers series, Raven Gallery, Maitland (July 12–27).

  • Streets of Our Town – Duo exhibition with Jack Reading, Wester Gallery, Newcastle West (August 23–September 7).

  • Descendants – Family Logs I–IV, Onwards Gallery (September 6–15).

  • Paper and Clay – Round About, FLT Tattoos, Hamilton (October 19).

  • Hornsby Art Prize – Finalist, Corn-i I–III, Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Hornsby (October 25–November 10).

  • Cup Show – Black Moon I–IV, Newcastle Art Studio, Tighes Hill (November 1–17).

  • Expressions – Corn-i I–III, Watt Space, Newcastle (November 14–21).

  • Out for Summer – Racing Track and Suburb, Onwards Gallery, Hamilton (December 6-31).

  • Christmas Takeaway – Toothbrush holders,Back to Back Gallery, Cooks Hill

Experiences

  • Hand-Building & Wheel-Throwing Teacher – The Art Department, Newcastle.

  • Technical Assistant – Newcastle Art School (TAFE).

  • Exhibition Coordinator – Finely Formed Exhibition.

  • Kids Class Instructor – Organized and led children’s classes at The Hudson Street Hum.

  • Studio Supervisor – BRB Open Studio.

Markets

  • Markets on Fern Street – Playstate Curate (January 28).

  • Perfect Sunday Markets – Lass O’Gowrie (August 11).

  • Sydney Ceramic Markets – Carriageworks (October 19–20).

  • Olive Tree Markets – Civic Park (November–December).