Marina Van Raay is a Canadian-Japanese ceramic artist based in Hamilton, Ontario. She is a graduate of the Craft and Design Bachelor’s program at Sheridan College and is currently a full time artist in residence at Harbourfront Centre. Her passion for clay and deep appreciation for craftsmanship were sparked by her father, who introduced her to pottery in 2016. Her grandmother was both a visual artist and a potter, inspiring her father to pursue ceramics, and in turn passing that passion on to Van Raay. Born in Japan, Van Raay moved to Canada at the age of five. Through her work, she explores the cultural experiences that have shaped her life, focusing on themes of nostalgia, identity, and memory. She draws inspiration from childhood memories, often evoking feelings of innocence and optimism through her design, process, and decoration. Spending summer vacations in Japan with her family created cherished moments that continue to influence her practice. The language, culture, and emotions tied to those experiences have shaped her perspective, prompting her to explore her upbringing through an adult lens and translate those memories into her ceramics.
About
Artist Statement
I explore my relationship with nostalgia through design, process, and decoration, evoking childhood feelings of innocence and optimism. Embracing play as a design method, I aim to capture its essence as I create. My process involves accessorizing, collaging, and assembling components onto hand-built pieces post firing. Extending the act of making in this way invites a sense of play and freedom, as I pick and choose from a variety of charms and chains, made from glaze and stained clay. I am influenced by my cultural experiences and find inspiration in childhood memories. By reimagining moments of innocence and discovery, I reflect on these early experiences and emotions from an adult perspective. I look for inspiration in Japanese pop culture, where we see an overload of accessories, and elements like keychains, charms, and stickers. I play with these forms, embellishing and connecting my current work with my past.
Take a look at my thesis process document under the Gallery tab to learn a little more about my work :)
CV
Education
2024, Bachelor of Craft and Design, Sheridan College
Awards and Grants
2025, Craft Project Grant, Ontario Arts Council
2024, Helen Copeland Memorial Award in Ceramics, Craft Ontario
2024, William and Mary Corcoran Award, Sheridan College
2024, Honourable Mention, NEXT Biennial 2024, Carnegie Gallery, Dundas Ontario
2023, Skydiver Award
2022, Pottery Supply House Award
2021, Tucker’s Pottery Supplies Award
Exhibitions
2025, Craft Ontario, Featured Artist Window Feature, Toronto
Group Exhibitions
2025, Artist Project 2025, Better Living Centre, Toronto
2025, Coast to Coast to Coast: Celebrating Canadian Craft, Salon des Metiers d'‘art, Montreal Quebec
2024, NCECA Juried Student Exhibition, Richmond Virginia
2024, Craft Award Recipient Exhibition, Craft Ontario, Toronto
2024, NEXT Biennial 2024, Carnegie Gallery, Dundas Ontario
2024, Method, Matter, Moment, Gardiner Museum, Toronto Ontario
2024, Ideas and Objects 24, Sheridan College
2024, Craft Award Recipient Exhibition, Craft Ontario, Toronto
Online Exhibitions
2024, Emerging Young Artists Online Exhibition, Carnegie Gallery
Professional Experience
2022-2023, Sheridan College- Ceramics Teacher’s Assistant
2023- Present, Dundas Valley School of Arts