Since 1994, Mud Australia has created elegant and timeless porcelain homewares. AU
The original Mud Australia store opened in Woollahra in 2007. Since then we’ve opened 12 stores globally.
Book a design consultation with our experienced team or plan your own gift registry online.
2022 was busy at Mud Australia. Read on to find out how we occupied ourselves ...
March 2022 - Chairity Project
The project, initiated by CULT Design and launched at the Melbourne Design Week, tasked 18 creatives to show how design can work towards a better, healthier and more sustainable future.
For Mud Australia's submission, Founder and Creative Director Shelley Simpson worked with Five Mile Radius to interpret the Result Chair in recycled terrazzo incorporating broken Mud Australia porcelain.
The auction raised just over $30,000 and was shared equally between five charities including Red Cross, Gunawirra, Cancer Council, St Vincent de Paul and Greening Australia.
Photography by Cathy Marshall and Fiona Susanto.
March 2022 - Nolita NYC Store
March marked the launch of our new Mott Street, Nolita store — extending our retail presence in New York City to two stores. We are delighted to be back in Manhattan, just around the corner from our original Crosby Street location.
This intimate and calming store showcases the whole Mud Australia range — visit us at 242 Mott Street, nestled between the Milk Bar Store and Cafe Gitane.
Photography by Jessica Antola.
May 2022 - The Archibald Prize
We were delighted to hear in May that Studio A artist, Thom Roberts' portrait of our founder and Creative Director, Shelley Simpson, was selected as a finalist in this year's 2022 Archibald Prize.
Thom first met Shelley at Mud in 2017 where he painted some of our plates for Birdfoxmonster, a performance art event at Carriageworks in Sydney.
‘She was nice and happy to me,’ says Thom. ‘I call her Rachey. I like to change everybody’s name. My name is Robert but I want people to call me Thom.’
For this portrait, Thom painted Shelley on a bespoke Mud Australia Dinner Plate, finished with a glossy resin coating.
Studio A photography by William Liu.
May 2022 - New website
We launched our new website in May, inspired by our in-store experience — where beautiful design meets excellent customer service.
Every single product was restyled and photographed to reflect the handmade nature of our porcelain.
The new website also has curated product collections and a journal — allowing us to share ideas, recipes and design inspiration. More to come, watch this space!
July 2022 - Opening of Refettorio OzHarvest
In July, Refettorio Ozharvest opened, just 2 doors up from our Surry Hills store.
Refettorio is an Australian-first, social impact collaboration between OzHarvest and world renowned chef, Massimo Bottura. Refettorio brings together those in need with a warm, nourishing meal in a unique, community hub.
Based on their zero-waste philosophy, we are proud to support Refettorio Ozharvest, donating our imperfect porcelain dinnerware to serve their gourmet vegetarian meals.
Photography by Nikki To.
July 2022 - APY Art Centre Collective
In early July, Shelley visited the APYACC to see their new facility in Thebarton, South Australia.
We continue an enduring partnership with the APYACC and their artists and look forward to sharing more updates in 2023 - watch this space!
August 2022 - A new state of the art kiln
Early August marked the long-awaited arrival and commissioning of our brand-new kiln.
Not only is it four times larger than our existing kilns, but also 40% more energy efficient, allowing us to increase our production capacity whilst also reducing energy usage.
Photography by Nick Tsindos.
August 2022 - The third year of the Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize
Applications for the 3rd SSCP opened in August - for the first time open to all Australian ceramic artists.
"The past two years with prolonged lockdowns have been challenging for many artists. I'd like to encourage a regeneration and momentum of the ceramics industry with this prize, we look forward to sharing the finalists in early January 2023."
Shelley Simpson, Mud Australia Founder and Creative Director.
Photography by Becca Crawford.
September 2022 - The launch of Numbers
We launched bold and playful Numbers in collaboration with Vince Frost of Frost*collective.
Combining porcelain with numerical interpretation, the Numbers intersect design and art. Available in 2 sizes and 20 colours.
Photography by Nick Tsindos and Leif Prenzlau.
October 2022 - Mud Talks 04
We were delighted to host Mud Talks 04 - How to grow your creative business at Abbotsford Convent, in Naarm/Melbourne.
Held in partnership with Craft Contemporary 2022, this event was created by Mud Australia to provide an opportunity for people starting out in craft and design-led businesses to directly engage on the day-to-day challenges and bigger questions with the founders of established Australian creative businesses.
For those who missed the talk live, we invite you to watch the discussion below.
Photography by Kenneth Suico.
November 2022 - The launch of Desk Sets
Launched in partnership with Karst Stone Paper and bound by the shared principles of sustainable design, this set celebrates colour, creativity and practicality.
Each set includes two porcelain desk organisers, a pen holder, and a limited edition A5 notebook in a selected Mud Australia colour.
Photography by Petrina Tinslay.
All day, every day 2022 - Continuing with our Climate action goals
Last but not least, we are proud to not only be a carbon neutral company, but also climate neutral – which means we account for all GHGs in addition to carbon dioxide.
Our 3rd annual audit with South Pole calculated a total GHG footprint of 797.22 tCO2e (metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) between July 2020 to June 2021 — a 26% reduction from the previous year.
We have further set set ambitious targets to:
- Reduce emissions to zero through transitioning our owned vehicle fleet to 100% electric by FY24/25
- Reduce electricity emissions to zero through transitioning to renewable energy retailers or contractual instruments by FY23/24
- Reduce downstream air freight from factory to international stores from 32% to 20% on a net weight basis by FY24/25
Photography by Becca Crawford.
