Courtney Mattison is an American artist and ocean advocate whose work marries marine science with ceramics. Born in 1985, she holds a BA in marine ecology and ceramic sculpture from Skidmore College and an MA in environmental studies from Brown University. Her signature creations are large-scale, hand-crafted ceramic wall reliefs that evoke coral reefs — vibrant at the core yet fading to white at the edges, symbolizing coral bleaching and the threats of climate change. 

Mattison’s installations serve as visual metaphors for ecological fragility and hope: sweeping, cyclone-like shapes composed of hundreds or thousands of individually sculpted pieces challenge viewers to reflect on the fate of the world’s oceans. 

Her work has been commissioned globally, including a permanent installation at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, and her practice is informed by her deep commitment to environmental conservation.