Artist’s Statement
I work with clay to create Stele - sculptural monuments that honour the Ash trees, which are currently under serious threat from Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus). The Woodland Trust estimates that up to 80% of Britain’s Ash trees may be lost, a devastating decline that will reshape our landscapes and jeopardise countless species that depend on them.
My inspiration comes from an ancient Ash tree in the Cotswolds, over 350 years old and hollowed with age. Despite its fragility, it remains a vibrant ecosystem, home to bats, woodpeckers, nuthatches, owls, and a black fox. This tree, surrounded by ivy, hawthorn, brambles, and Old Man’s Beard, stands as a living monument to resilience, biodiversity, and time.
The Stele are hand-built using a range of clays—crank, earthenware, black, and porcelain. Some are bisque-fired, others finished with wood ash glaze made from fallen Ash boughs. Through these sculptures, I aim to raise greater public awareness about the impact of Ash dieback and the broader issue of habitat loss.
I began working with clay in 2019, later completing an MA in Fine Art (Ceramics) at Bath Spa University, graduating with Distinction in 2024. I am currently part of the EMERGE residency in Bath.
