Kate Windibank

Kate Windibank’s practice involves an exploration of form and surface encompassing ceramic materials, fragmentation and natural processes. Drawing inspiration from the structure and textures of nature, she uses concepts of geological formation and erosion to suggest the transformational nature of time on the foundations of human experience and identity.

The process begins when soft clay slabs are torn, then pressed into moulds, once firm, the clay is broken into shards and used to construct ceramic vessels. Each fragment is carefully considered to find the most intriguing sense of balance and contrast, strength and fragility. This methodology creates forms with undulating edges, fault-lines and fissures.

The final metamorphosis occurs during firing: As the heat-work of the kiln turns clay to stone, oxides embedded in the clay are drawn out, reacting and flowing with glaze to create movement and texture that remains permanently captured on the surface of the vessel. Once complete Windibank’s work still shows it’s transformational journey, these are objects that can be investigated and reappraised, as each viewing reveals new juxtapositions of detail, process, form and event.