Sydney-based artist Nell has a fascination with death rituals. The Haniwa, Japanese tomb ornament, is of particular interest. Arranged around a burial site, these objects serve to both protect the dead but also drive away evil. Nell’s contribution to Magic Object, is an installation titled The Wake (2014-16) which includes hand-built ceramic vessels, some of which were made at Ernabella Arts in Pukatja, and emulate the Haniwa. Imbued with expressions of humour and sadness, these objects mock our mortality.