Cathy Burke

Cathy Burke initially completed a HND in Amenity Horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin in 2000, and then graduated from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin with a BA in Craft Design (Ceramics) in 2014. She lives and works in Wicklow. Her rugged, hand-built clay forms are defined by a characteristic use of natural glazes that reflect on nature's process of regeneration.

In her practice, Cathy explores nature’s alluring resilience within a precarious environment. Through an investigation of the landscape and botanical forms she creates pieces that are imagined and inspired by – but not imitative of – nature. The contours of her abstract works possess a vulnerable fragility. Her surfaces emulate the kind of tactile energy found in rusts, fungi, mosses and lichens; indicators of decay and stability. Her most recent work is a reaction to concerns regarding the material components of her making, and a desire to reduce its environmental impact. Research into the environmental and ethical issues concerning the mining of rare earth elements has encouraged an enquiry into substituting materials and developing alternative surfaces. Using stoneware clay, she hand-builds with slabs and manipulates the form before finishing with dry, textured glazes. The endless exciting possibilities of clay and glazing energise her process, and the resulting works imitate the cycle of corrosion, decomposition, revival and rejuvenation.

Cathy Burke applied for a Golden Fleece Award to invest more time in her studio practice and to further develop new research that will enhance her making in a more environmentally-conscious way, focusing on ethical provenance in material selection.