Shari Lowndes was convinced she would be a veterinarian growing up.

‘The career options being sponsored by the schooling environment [in NSW] seemed to boil down to doctor, lawyer, or… something with animals — and I did not feel aligned with the first two,’ she says.

‘Looking back, it’s clear I was heading either toward a life of animal care or to practice in the arts.’

To date, she’s been commissioned by boutique hotel United Places for just under 400 pieces of functional ware; is the only ceramic artist stocked at cult Melbourne store Pan After; has created over 100 pieces for Quarters in Tribeca NYC; collaborated with Brooklyn-based design studio In Common With; and recently opened her very own store in Melbourne.

Spoiler alert: she ended up in the arts.

In 2014, after various roles across fashion, styling, and product development, Shari found herself in a day class at SoCA (School of Clay and Art) in Brunswick.

There, she met mentor Shane Kent, the founder of SoCA, who helped nurture her natural creativity and unlock an intuitive talent for making ceramics.

‘For the first time, I felt a deep sense of belonging — I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be,’ Shari says.

‘Shane has an intuitive ability to support without interfering. He knew when to offer a morsel of wisdom and when to provide open space.’

What began as a casual class evolved into an informal five-year, full-time journey.

Since launching her own ceramics studio, Szilvassy, in 2019, Shari has continued to work on the wheel most days, deeply engaged in hands-on processes of creative experimentation.

Whether it’s one of her Forma jars, orb-shaped vases, or limited-edition lighting pieces for NY design studio In Common With, her forms are elemental and elegantly refined — a testament to Shari’s commitment to ensure each work is ‘fully resolved’ before being released to the world.

Yet, they also feel beautifully raw and organic, in part, due to Shari’s experimentation with custom glazes such as Tenmoku (a Japanese glaze that first originated in ancient China), alongside smooth browns and mineral hues with dappled textures.

‘I use Australian clays, including a small reserve of found clay from the Chewton Bushlands [near Castlemaine],’ she says.

The natural world plays a big part in Shari’s practice, as does history. For example, her Amphora series offers an ongoing exploration of ancient forms — something she often turns to for inspiration.

‘Some of what I do is shaped by my heritage, even if not consciously,’ she adds.

‘My background is richly mixed, although my main line is Italian. My grandparents came to Australia after the 1952 Egyptian coup, looking for safety and a future for their family.

‘When I make vessels with simple, timeless forms, I feel like I’m quietly honouring that history. It’s a way of holding space for both the loss and richness of culture that came with migration, and of making something universal feel sacred.’

This deep sense of purpose has also been the driving force behind Szilvassy’s latest milestone — a sleek new showroom in Melbourne’s thriving Collingwood Yards precinct.

The space is cool and contemporary, yet appropriately utilitarian.

‘When I first took it on, the space was an empty shell: 63 square metres, five-metre-high ceilings, and an uninspiring grey vinyl floor. It was both full of potential and slightly daunting,’ she says.

Her partner Dion Hall led the redesign, dividing the sun-filled room into zones using custom steel shelving.

The crisp interior, with its steel display tables and vintage Italian furniture, provides a perfect counterpart to Szilvassy’s earthy collections. It took more than a year to bring to life, but this bricks-and-mortar presence provides Shari with a base to share her work and connect with others, beyond the digital realm.

‘It’s been the dream from the very beginning,’ she adds. ‘And now that it’s real, I’m excited for all that’s still to come.’

An edited version of this story originally appeared in The Design Files Magazine Issue 03. Subscribe to the biannual print magazine here.