About Catherine Lucktaylor
Hi, I’m Catherine Lucktaylor and I am passionate about creating beautiful objects out of clay!
From my first time making a coil pot on my Foundation course in Huddersfield I was hooked. I discovered that it came naturally to me and felt that I had finally found something that connected me to my African ancestors. My love of making has been a continuous theme throughout my life and it was my creativity that was a lifeline for me throughout my childhood as I struggled to find my place in the world. I grew up the only black person in my family with a white English mother and an absent black Ghanaian father.
I went on to gain a BA (hons) in Ceramics from Wolverhampton University. I had a studio at the Phoenix Gallery in Brighton for many years and was a member of Earth Kilns, a group of friends who got together to do Raku and smoke firings, build kilns and support each other in exploring a range of low fired ceramic techniques.
In 1999 I was awarded a Travelling Fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. I travelled in west Africa & Brazil researching traditional religion and sacred art. The journey also enabled me to find her Ghanaian father and connect with my African heritage.
On my return I began to create mixed media installations and went on to curate and exhibit in Sanctuary a group exhibition funded by Arts Council England South East.
After the birth of my son in 2007 I relocated to west Cornwall and made the decision to specialise in Raku fired ceramics. This is an ancient Japanese technique which basically means 'Enjoyment' and was originally used as part of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. Raku has evolved in the West to become a vibrant and exciting technique to glaze studio ceramics with stunning and unpredictable results.
Moving to Cornwall had a profound impact on my ceramics and led to the creation of the Landscape Series which takes inspiration from the stunning land and seascapes of far West Cornwall. My signature turquoise glaze reflects the vibrant colour of the sea whilst the smoked crackle pattern is reminiscent of the rugged cliffs. Drawing on my African heritage, I specialise in traditional hand building techniques, such as pinching and coiling with many surfaces burnished to a smooth sheen using my favourite beach pebble.
My Raku ceramics are available through galleries in Cornwall, London and Scotland and I host regular open studio events where I demonstrate the Raku firing process.
