About Gerda Satunas
indian summers i ceramic i 30 x 30 x 9 cm, 22 x 19 x 6 cm
Artist Statement
My work is a dialogue between the body, nature, and emotion - a space where clay becomes language. Moving from costume and design into ceramics, I explore how texture, colour, and form can express transformation and healing. My deep love of fabric, costume, art, and architecture shapes my creative approach, where ceramics feels like making a costume - built through rhythm, technique, and imagination. Working with porcelain and stoneware, I draw inspiration from organic forms, architectural details, and the tactile beauty of textiles. Each piece becomes an intimate reflection of movement, fragility, and renewal, tracing my personal journey from Europe to New Zealand, where clay embodies resilience, sensuality, and the quiet power of self-discovery.
Ceramics New Zealand 61st National Exhibition Finalist
Gerda has been selected as a finalist from 279 artists who submitted, an impressive achievement given the distinguished judging panel of Moyra Elliott, Grace Lai, and Peata Larkin. Her work, Crystal Forest, is currently on display at the Pah Homestead until January 2026.
Madame Tussauds’ Former Costume Designer
Gerda's extensive skill and knowledge in fashion has landed her opportunities to work for Madame Tussauds, London's Royal Opera House and the famous period tv show, Downton Abbey. This inspires her first ever collection in 2023, Costumes in Clay, where her pieces were blooming with fabric like textures and renaissance touches.