Marina Van Raay is a Canadian and Japanese ceramic artist based in Hamilton, Ontario. A recent graduate of the Craft and Design Bachelor’s program at Sheridan College, Marina gained a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and artistic expression through her father, who also introduced her to ceramics in 2016. The two have shared a passion for clay ever since.

After moving from Japan to Canada at the age of 5, Marina continues to use her work to explore the various cultural experiences that have shaped her life.

"I explore my relationship with nostalgia through design, process, and decoration, evoking childhood feelings of innocence and optimism. Embracing play as a design method, I aim to capture its essence as I create. My process involves accessorizing, collaging, and assembling components onto hand-built pieces post firing. Extending the act of making in this way invites a sense of play and freedom, making use of a variety of charms and chains made from glaze and stained clay often inspired by Japanese pop culture. I am influenced by my cultural experiences and find inspiration in childhood memories, and by reimagining these moments of innocence and discovery, I reflect on these early experiences and emotions from an adult perspective.”