5.4a Catherine Lucktaylor, 'Landscapes of Clay'

Prompted by Nature

Welcome to series 5, episode 4 of the Prompted by Nature podcast.

Action point: Pop over to https://unfccc.int/ and https://www.cop27.eg/#/ to find out about the COP27 conference. Also follow @mikaelaloach on Instagram or Twitter if you don't already, as she has been at the conference, both attending and presenting.

Catherine is a ceramic artist based in West Cornwall specialising in Raku clay ceramics, who draws on her English/Ghanaian heritage for her stunning pots. She is passionate about the Cornish landscape and uses this as inspiration for her work. Drawing on her African heritage, she specialises in traditional hand building techniques, such as pinching and coiling with many surfaces burnished to a smooth sheen using her favourite beach pebble.

Her work has appeared on BBC’s The Great Poetry Throw Down and her Raku ceramics are available through galleries in Cornwall, London and Scotland. Catherine also hosts regular open studio events where she demonstrates the Raku firing process.

She also runs grief retreats, using a combination of nature and art therapy create safe spaces for those going through grief and wishing to take time out within a supportive and nurturing community.

In this conversation we discuss:

• Catherine’s creative journey
• Embracing and celebrating her Ghanaian ancestry through her work
• Her work with the adinkra symbols and what they mean to her
• The meditative aspects of creating ceramics
• The creative process as ritual
• Where Catherine gains her inspiration
• Catherine’s love of the Cornish landscape
• Her grief retreats and the healing power of nature and creativity
• The importance of creativity in our modern world
• Art and hope
• The lesson she wants to pass on
• Her vision for the future

Just a note that my microphone cuts at one point - I am getting a new one imminently!

Episode that would be great to listen after this one:

2.3a Lorraine Tindale, Nature-based EMDR

2.8a Punam Sanghrajka, Skyscapes and Art as Meditation

3.7a Rosalind Lowry, Land Art: Celebrating our Boglands

4.10a Elizabeth Gleave, Restoring the Earth through the Arts

You can find Catherine at her website www.lucktaylorceramics.co.uk and on social media @lucktaylorceramics Definitely check out her shop, especially if you are looking for something extra special for yourself or a loved one.

As always, I’m www.promptedbynature.co.uk and @prompted.by.nature and @promptedxnature

Happy listening!

Helen x