Katy Stubbs
Katy Stubbs is a ceramic artist whose witty works have recently captured the attention of the art world. The artist completed a residency at ALMA ZEVI, Venice in 2019, and her first solo exhibition took place in the gallery’s London location in 2020.
To see more of Katy’s work, please visit her website or instagram.
About:
Katy first dove into the world of ceramics during the final year of her BFA at the School of Visual arts in New York. Frustrated by the two-dimensionality of most mediums, finding ceramics finally felt natural, like everything in her mind coming together. There was no end to the variations of shape and illustrations, so she has kept at it ever since. Katy was hooked. Nowadays, Katy’s style is witty and fun, often turning ‘traditional’ ceramics on its head. She uses bright colours, fantastical creatures, and dark humour in her work.
Oh Shit! This Doesn't Look Too Good, 2020, earthenware and glaze, 16 x 18 x 29.5 cm.
Most of the time, Katy uses underglaze on her ceramics. Underglaze does not run, and it can produce bright colours. Katy says that working with clay requires an artist to relinquish some control – it can be unpredictable both in drying or firing. Working with underglazes returns some confidence to the artist, as she knows the colour will stay put, and not transform. Underglaze, unlike normal ceramic glazes, can also be mixed to create new hues.
Problems, 2021, stoneware and glaze, 38.5 x 31 x 26 cm.
The biggest influence on Katy’s artistic practice was moving to the United States. She says ‘New York [is] such a funny place. The ideas you have about it are all real … there is a recklessness and sense of humour that I have never felt in another city.’
Venice was another source of inspiration for the artist. She was invited to do a residency in the city by ALMA ZEVI, and many of the paintings she saw in the city became the foundation for a collection of works, that would eventually become her first solo show, ‘Price Choppers.’ Venice’s duality - the mix of precious, ancient historical buildings alongside sunburned tourists and kitschy souvenirs - became a major influence.
Linda Sucked Me Off Here, 2021, stoneware and glaze, 25 x 35 x 35 cm.
Most recently, Katy has been exploring the idea of human callousness. She says; she once watched a kid from school beat a worm to death with a rounders bat. The child’s cross little face while she pulverised the worm captivated the artist. Since, Katy has been trying to make works that capture that feeling. One piece depicts a frog, axed in half, while another shoes a snake stomped by a big boot. Katy expects her work to continue exploring this theme. She says she sees people act in this callous way, in ways big and small, all the time.
