Sylvia Aguirre is a Chilean-born Australian Artist based in Wadawurrung Country (Golden Plains). Sylvia is a multi-disciplinary artist who has a deep connection to the ancient craft of ceramics. Having spent her infant years in Chile, her work is deeply influenced by her heritage and has a discerning connection to the natural world.

Drawing on organic elements and upcycled materials, she creates expressive sculptural figures that reflect both the personal and collective stories of humanity, culture and our connection to the natural environment we inhabit. 

Sylvia has found a deep connection to the landscape and the people of Golden Plains Shire and Ballarat over the last 15 years. After balancing family life, as an educator and an artist for many years, Sylvia now works from her home studio in Ross Creek on a full-time basis. 

The Golden Plains shire and Ballarat has had an evolving influence on Sylvia’s work over the years. Sylvia’s work has been showcased in both solo and group exhibitions in Queensland, NSW and Victoria. More recently her art has been recognized through several prestigious accolades, including the 2022 COPACC CrossXpollination ‘Impermanence’ Art Prize and the Birchip Art Show 3D Art Prize in 2023.

Attuned to her immediate environment, Sylvia combines stoneware clay bodies to create mystical sculptural forms. Using tints, underglazes, and oxides, she draws texture and imagery to the surface of her work, reinforcing the story that wants to be told. Sylvia experiments with both traditional and organic firing techniques and often incorporates found objects into her process in order to achieve a raw and honest element to her work.