Catherine Phipps Titcombe

Hand builder working sustainably with recycled materials, found objects, and clay additions to produce sculpture. Exhibiting member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen 2015-22; showing at several Devon venues: Guild gallery − Bovey Tracey; National Trust Castle Drogo – Drewsteignton; and Gidleigh Park – Chagford. An artist featured in exhibitions at the Royal Exchange – Manchester; Electric Picture House – Congleton; Studio Eleven – Hull; and Gallery Oldham – Oldham. Member of the Northern Potters Association 2008-13. Completing a Master of Arts in Ceramics at the University of Central Lancashire 2010 was formative to my practice. For a long time I had a love of making and appreciated the connectedness to materials that ceramics offered. I had always found enjoyment in the acts of study involved in discrete projects and valued creative processes as a route to better knowing myself. The masters formalised knowledge and enabled growth. It offered dedicated time to examine the medium of clay – exploring its characteristics, constraints, and potential. My current practice of altering clay bodies with recycled and found additions was informed by my UCLAN scholarship. The experimental processes I employ produce visual effects that reflect my interest in cycles of change, the juxtaposition of natural and manmade objects, and architectural structures. Routine methods include clay additions, grinding, mould making, glazing, and firing to stoneware.