Nobody asks me how green my process is. I think it's because when people see my one-of-a-kind vases, environmental impact isn't the first thing on their minds.
But here's a back story that explains why I'm writing this post. A few months ago, I applied to the British Ceramic Biennial (I didn't get in), and was surprised to find the application form asked about the environmental friendliness of our processes. I had always assumed ceramic processes were eco-friendly - maybe because they seem so wholesome and earthy. Clearly, I was wrong. And well done to the British Ceramic Biennial for making this a part of their selection process!
After getting over my initial surprise, I sat down to write my environmental impact statement. Here's what I realised about my work:
Each vase I create gives new life to existing ceramic objects. The body of every piece is built from ceramic and porcelain items that already existed in the world - mostly vintage and antique pieces, sometimes combined with more recent finds. I source them all from charity shops, vintage stores, and antique markets.
What makes my process special is that I can incorporate broken, chipped, and even fractured items into my vases, saving them from ending up in landfills. To connect these pieces, I use epoxy resin. While resin isn't the most environmental material, my process requires no firing, and there's minimal waste - almost everything I mix goes directly into creating the vase, with very little being sanded or carved away. The epoxy resin I use is malleable, eliminating the need for casting.
My vases are all about our collective memory and past lives. They demonstrate how we can create exciting, contemporary pieces using old and pre-loved objects. Each piece makes a statement about reuse and recycling, opening conversations about our environmental footprint while celebrating both our past and our present.
