Nickie Gunning (b.1991 Mastic Beach, NY) is a queer interdisciplinary artist based in Metro Detroit, Michigan whose work explores gender identity through ceramic sculpture and found-object assemblage. Their work has been exhibited nationally, at venues including the Cranbrook Art Museum, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Springfield Art Museum, and in large scale exhibitions such as Mighty Real Queer Detroit. Gunning is the recipient of awards including the Frank Swaim Award of Honor and multiple artist residencies, with features in publications such as The Washington Post and Trans Mag. They hold an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a BFA from the Corcoran School of Art + Design.

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My art practice plays to process abject self-portraiture through a collection of sculptural forms inspired by my body’s movement and interactions as I transition through life. I construct conceptual ceramic vessels through assemblages by mixing discarded items found from my lived vicinity and cherished items from my personal belongings. The art then functions to hold and discuss topics of gender identity, mental health, social injustices, and human waste. 
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My artwork serves as a collection of moments, thoughts and gestures captured from my lived existence with or without my physical body recognized as human. The ceramic methodology I succumb to often is throwing clay, releasing the clay and concept roughly or over emotionally. Other times I am hand building an object in relation to my human form being useful. The finished ceramics get paired with ready made objects to help ground the idea or emotion I had experienced to a specific place in time. These become self portraits of my genderfluidity.