Due to my extreme aversion to having my photo taken, some of you guys will have seen my work but not actually me the human (we look quite different, mostly) - so, hi! I’m Becky (my given name is not in fact pig_nut)
I work largely in ceramics (sculpture and installation) and favour large, unwieldy critters that serve no practical purpose (like Wonderlump who is pictured here)
Alongside my practice I run @mudstudios.ltd - with a lot of brilliant help, and produce Ceramics NZ Magazine with the fantastic support of @nice.assets . I also write stuff, love my part-time gig @objectspace , and tutor ceramics classes every so often.
If you’d like to know more about my work and projects, there’s lots of nice pictures on my website, linked in my bio. I’ll definitely archive this post later because having my face squarely on here feels SUPER weird, but thank you for reading if you see this while it’s up! Xxxx
I’ve been very quiet on here for a wee while – between renovating an old workshop / soon-to-be new studio and preparing to have a bogus hip replaced with a fresh new one I haven’t found time to take swish images of my new work, let alone share em ❤️ I’ll likely be even quieter in the coming weeks, so before I disappear further for a bit, here’s a cute throw back to earlier this year when @rozennjang_ took some beaut images in the studio 🥰🥰🥰 xxx
Becky’s handcrafted sculptures reveal a distinct transparency in their process, which became evident over time. The surfaces bear mottled traces of her fingers and palms, preserving a dialogue with the malleable material. Driven by a childlike desire to build increasingly larger structures, some of her works stand as feats of creative engineering. The dynamic sense of weight emphasizes the physical properties of clay. These sculptures exude a powerful physicality, a sensual tactility, and a material strangeness.
Also a writer and educator, Becky is the current editor of Ceramics NZ magazine. @ceramicsnz In 2020 she founded MUD Studios Limited, @mudstudios.ltd a shared ceramics studio based in Auckland, Aotearoa, and currently works as the studio director, alongside a team of dedicated makers working in clay. She holds an MFA from the University of Auckland.
It is an honor to introduce Becky’s work at Artor. Her latest works will continue to be on view until March 15th alongside Linda‘s work.
@pig_nut
Enquire via email: [email protected]@artorcontemporary
12 Fitzroy Street, Ponsonby, Auckland
Becky’s studio visit photos:
@rozennjang_
Bright Eyes, 2025, found a new home at the art fair - so a big farewell to this big baby ❤️ Really lovely to show beside such a cool mix of amazing artists with @artorcontemporary - big love to Rozenn @rozennjang_ for making it all happen and curating such a beautiful booth xxx
Becky Richards
Bright Eyes, 2025
Ceramic, glaze, epoxy, glass
300mm dia x 550mm high
Scalloped King-pin, 2023
Ceramic, glaze
80mm dia x 220mm high
We’re delighted to present Becky’s works at the Aotearoa Art Fair with Artor.
Booth 38, Level 1
Becky Richards creates playful ceramic sculptures and installations that imagine a fictive, hand-made world. Drawing from natural forms, her exaggerated, cartoon-like works emphasise tactility, process, and the physicality of clay, resulting in immersive environments that are both strange and joyful.
@pig_nut@aotearoaartfair
…Give away! Mamms ahoy!!
I know, you saw it coming… what can I say, the mammals are in town and they are here to party. Be in to win a pair of these pocket pals… it’s easy, all you need to do is:
- follow us!
- like this post
- share this post to your story 🐪
- tag a friend who would also love a tiny friend in the comments below
For a gold star DOUBLE entry also tell us the colour you’d love best 🐪
Entries close Sunday May 3rd, 5pm, mammal winners announced Monday 4th around 12pm ❤️❤️❤️
Well, I’ve had it on my list for yonks to photograph some Pocket Mammals properly: professional portraits are coming very soon, truly, in tandem with that fabled webshop drop.
In the meantime - please accept these crummy snaps taken around an endless and staggeringly physical kiln shed build, and message me if you’d like to sneak in a pre-order for your own tiny Pet Direct, or round some up for your store ❤️ xxx
Artor is pleased to participate in the Aotearoa Art Fair 2026. We present new works by six artists Pepi-Joy Gilgen, Rebecca Snelling, Andrew Rankin, Olivia Asher, Becky Richards, and Robyn Penn. At the Wall House Party, Object sector.
We look forward to seeing you there,
Booth 38, Level 1
———
Pepi-Joy Gilgen, Tuna pikipiki, tuna hekeheke, 2026
Rebecca Snelling, Maud Keeper, 2026
Olivia Asher, For the sake of becoming light, 2026
Andrew Rankin, The Totara Trilogy (Totara on Totara composition 1-3), 2026
Becky Richards, Bright Eyes, 2025
Robyn Penn, Vanishing Present, 2026
Catalogue enquire, 📧 [email protected]@hardkoa_harikoa@snellingstudio@olivia__asher@ahndru@pig_nut@robyn.penn@aotearoaartfair
So I seem to have reached a point where I’m crafting the objects I’d have gone nuts for as a kid 😂 My Little Petshop meets low-fi tamagotchi meets lucky pebble, these are Pocket Mammals.
Handmade in stoneware, glazed in a range of colours from rutile teal to bright amber, average size about that of a marble - these little guys are designed to be tucked in a pocket - there for a quick squeeze whenever it might be helpful, or as a wee dot of friendly company throughout your day 🐳
A first fleet of P.mamms are headed to the shop @te_uru_gallery - keep an eye out for them later this month! I’ll also be adding a limited selection to my webshop. If you’d like to place a pre-order ahead of the online drop, or, if you’d like to stock these fellows in your fine establishment too - please get in touch ☺️ xx
In the Making is still on at Silo 6, only until 6pm today!
What a rare joy to have a bit of work in the mix with such a feast of material talent - just far too many favourites to list. A huge and heartfelt thanks to @cbd_ltd and all who made this special event happen ❤️ An absolute treat xxx
