Iole McLachlan

Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture

Iole McLachlan’s art explores her observations on the human condition and reflections on contemporary life filtered through a distinctive and idiosyncratic lens. She shares that “these sculptures are born from disruption, resilience and quiet survival. As a female artist living with chronic pain, I am especially drawn to the subtleties of constraint and how identity is formed and tested under pressure.”

She produces sculptural objects which provoke, confuse, and invite a moment of focus. Iole works with a range of stoneware clays using hand-building techniques, adding various surface treatments and often incorporating mixed media elements. 

Iole is a Sydney-based artist who originally trained in graphic design and led a successful career as an art director in the publishing industry, before redirecting her focus towards her art practice in recent years. In 2025, she earned an Advanced Diploma in Visual Art (ceramics), building on her lifelong engagement with the arts and crafts. She brings to her work extensive experience in a diverse range of media, including glass, wood, fibre and metal in addition to her ceramic work.