Laura is a passionate artist and designer.

Laura Pascoe is a Meanjin (Brisbane)-based ceramic artist, interior designer, and art curator with a background in architecture. She blends creativity with community, using her expertise in interior design, art selection, and ceramics to foster collaboration and authenticity through her work and the gallery she co-founded, Vacant Assembly.

Background

As a child and throughout my schooling years, I was always creative. I hung out in the art room spending many hours painting. I have a practical side as well, so when it came to finishing school and deciding on what to study, I chose architecture. I was lucky enough to travel a lot as a young adult and was amazed and intrigued by built form, particularly old and ancient buildings.

Evolution

Once I was practicing architecture, I became focused on how the complex and often flawed construction industry might prioritize human needs over economic imperatives. Frustrated by the rigidity and bureaucracy of the field, I teamed up with my great friend and employer at Surroundings, Suzie Wiley, to explore human-centered design and help clients advocate for themselves and the end users of their projects.

Discovery

The workshops we hosted were fulfilling and valuable to the community, I also needed a more personal creative outlet. I started a night class in ceramics at Clayschool and fell in love with clay. What began as a therapeutic outlet soon became the thing I wanted to become expert in. Through clay, I gained access to the art community in Brisbane, a beautiful network of supportive and quirky people.

Practice

With colleagues, I set up Vacant Assembly, an accessible gallery and artist studios, a place for community and authenticity, and, my clay studio! That is where you will find me most days. Playing with clay, connecting with artists, and curating exhibitions that allow myself and other artists to share their work with community.

Curriculum Vitae

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  • Bachelor of Architectural Design
    2002-2004 - University of Queensland

    Master’s of Architecture
    2006 - 2008 - University of Queensland

    Ceramic Course
    2013 - 2017 - Clayschool (Ray Cavill)

  • Brearly Architects and Urbanists, Shanghai, China
    Student Architect - Feb - Dec 2005

    B2B Architecture, Vancouver, Canada
    Architectural Graduate, Feb - Dec 2008

    Architectural Practice Academy , Brisbane, Australia
    Architectural Graduate, Jan 2009 - Dec 2010

    Surroundings, Brisbane, Australia
    Registered Architect, March 2011 - Dec 2022

    • Residential architecture & Interior design
    • Human centred design - development of custom tools and experiences
    • Community facilitation for education, social and community projects
    • Post occupancy studies

    Vacant Assembly (art gallery, artist studios & venue)
    Co Director and Operations Lead, 2018 - Current

    • Business development & accounting
    • Design and construction of the building and fit-out
    • Management & sub-leasing artist studios
    • Curation and installation of group exhibitions
    • Mentoring emerging artists
    • Collaborating on exhibitions and installations

  • Fired-Up - Ari gallery, 2015

    Emerge - Paperboat Press, 2017

    InVase - Makers Gallery, 2018

    Reactions and Impressions (Solo), Browns General Store, 2018

    Made in China, Vacant Assembly, 2019

    Intimate Landscapes, Makers Gallery 2019

    Finalist in SILICEOUS - Queensland Ceramics Association Prize, 2021

    VESSEL, Vacant Assembly, 2021 (curator)

    Holding Nature, Vacant Assembly, 2022

    Commune, Museum of Brisbane, 2022

    Clay: Collected Ceramics, Museum of Brisbane, 2022

    Clayschool Alumni: 10 Years in the Making, Vacant Assembly, 2023

    Kin, Vacant Assembly, 2024 (curator)

    We Who Woodfire, Vacant Assembly, 2024

  • Anagama wood-firing with Clayschool, Pallara QLD, 2015

    Anagama wood-firing at Quixotica, QLD, 2017

    Ceramics residency in Jingdezhen, China, June 2018

    Volunteer at Smoke on the Water, Woodfire Conference, Cooroy, QLD, 2017

    Woodfiring (anagama & downdraft) workshop at Sturt gallery and studios, NSW, 2023

    Delegate at Gulgong - international ceramics conference, NSW, 2024

    Woodfiring (train Kiln) at Sawpit Studios, Gundaroo NSW, 2024

    Woodfiring (Anagama) at Middle Pocket, NSW, 2025

    Woodfiring (Anagama) at Mudibird Pottery, NSW, 2025

    International Residency at Driving Creek Pottery, New Zealand, 5 weeks 2026

    Woodfiring (Anagama) at Mudibird Pottery, NSW, 2026

  • Finalist in SILICEOUS - A Queensland Ceramics Association prize, 2021

    Peak 2023, Artwork Acquired by the Museum of Brisbane for their permanent collection