About
Under the Sun Ceramics was founded by me, Ellyse Wiltshire. I’m a non-binary artist operating out of my home studio in Meanjin (Brisbane), Australia. I’m inspired by my cultural heritage, European folk art, nature and spiritual imagery. My goal is to create pieces that add meaning to people’s lives by incorporating connection, gratitude and presence in the everyday.
Living and working on unceded Turrbal and Jagera land heavily influences the pieces that I create. I have outlined the philosophy and cultural context of my work below.
The Philosophy
My cultural heritage is a string that extended for thousands of years and was cut by my great-great grandparents. I want to reach out and grasp it. Tie it to me and pass it to my descendants. My ancestors had connection to the Earth and each other, festivals, special holidays and rituals that I have never known. But they were also violent and oppressive. I cannot pick and choose which parts of their lives I acknowledge. So I am dedicated to examining my privilege, how I continue to benefit from colonial violence, and the harm I impose on Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in Australia and the world through my identification with whiteness. I encourage every white Australian to do the same.
I believe Australia would be a better place if white Australians had greater connection to our ancestors, spirituality, nature, and cultural identities.
Like many white Australians, my ancestors hail from all over Europe - England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Germany.
When they colonised so-called Australia, communities who had waged war against each other for centuries were suddenly living together and trying to build a new country. People with different religions, traditions, and identities were thrust together with the mutual goal of stealing Aboriginal land. But a house divided cannot stand. Protestants and Catholics cannot be fighting amongst themselves if they want to effectively colonise.
So, my ancestors, like many of ours, surrendered many of their cultural identities and assimilated into a single “white Australia”. They did so in order to forge a united front, effective at waging war against the existing inhabitants of this country. They murdered, raped, pillaged and stole from First Nations people.
Although we have become better at hiding it, we know the violent impacts of colonisation continue to this day, as evident in the appalling life expectancy of Indigenous Australians - nearly 9 years less than their non-indigenous counterparts.
The Context
We as white Australians - and anyone who isn’t indigenous to this land - continue to benefit from colonisation by virtue of the fact that we live on stolen land.
Modern day Australia is a white supermist heteropatriarchal capitalist society. We have been born into a system that denies the humanity of anyone who doesn’t fit a very specific mould. It’s not our fault that we have internalised the teachings of that system. But it is our responsibility to examine our beliefs, values, behaviours, prejudices, and unconscious biases, and actively work towards seeing things as they really are. We have a duty to acknowledge the harm our ancestors inflicted on First Nations peoples, educate ourselves and make reparations.
None of the ideas above are my own. I would not know anything if it wasn’t for work of First Nations, Black, and People of Colour writers, educators, and artists and friends who have generously shared their knowledge. I urge every non-Indigenous Australian to read, follow and explore the books, websites, and social media accounts below as a starting point to learn more.
Books:
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad
Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia edited by Anita Heiss
Another Day in the Colony by Chelsea Watego
Talkin’ Up to the White Woman by Aileen Moreton-Robinson
The Trouble with White Women: A Counterhistory of Feminism by Kyla Schuller
Organisations, Groups and People:
Nayuka Gorrie Instagram: @naycab
Vanessa Turnbull Roberts Instagram: @nessaturnbullroberts
Rachael Sarra Instagram: @sar.ra__
Adam Briggs Instagram: @senatorbriggs
Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance Instagram: @warrenvolt Facebook: WAR
Justice for Tanya Day Instagram: @justicefortanyaday
Sisters Inside Independent not-for-profit which advocates for a supports women and girls in prison.
Dreamtime Aroha Aboriginal and LGBTQ owned Meanjin- based start up creating handmade Aboriginal Jarjum Dollies & Fine Aboriginal Arts.
Blackfulla Bookclub Book club for books by and about Indigenous people.
The Artists of the Barkly A multi-cultural Aboriginal art centre representing artists from communities across central Australia’s remote Barkly region.
Democracy in Colour An organisation dedicated to changing the institutions and systems that cause racial and economic injustice.
Don’t just read… Pay the Rent
Donate to:
Free Her Campaign by Sisters Inside
Black Rainbow National not-for-profit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBQTI peoples — 100% Indigenous owned and operated
Indigenous Social Justice Association A Naarm-based grassroots, multi-racial activist group which works collaboratively with others around the country campaigning to stop Indigenous deaths in custody.
Link Up Queensland A Queensland-based organisation that supports Indigenous people reunite with people and country where contact has been lost due to forced removal, fostering, adoption or institutionalisation.
I have created altars inspired by European folk art, nature, and spiritual imagery.
I hope these pieces can offer myself and others a way to connect with our cultural heritage and spirituality. Use an altar as a reminder to take a breath, or as a part of your daily gratitude practice. Light a candle and think of your grandma. Or just appreciate one in your home. It’s up to you.
The Promise
Handcrafted
Each piece is handbuilt and handpainted by me in my home, for yours.
Local
All clay is sourced from within Australia and materials are purchased from other small businesses.
Pay the Rent
Thirty percent of all profits donated to Black Rainbow.