Becky Mackenzie
Ceramics
I studied Illustration at Camberwell and Ceramic Design at Central Saint Martin’s, graduating from Saint Martins with a first class honors degree in 2005. I work in a variety of materials – predominantly in clay, although recently I have been working on more wall-based work, as well as developing a range of textile-based products. I work from my studio at home, which I equipped with a grant from the Princes Trust.
Recent Commissions:
-In 2004, collaborating with another student at college, our design won a competition set by Modus Operandi and St. Martin in the Fields to design and build the Nativity for Trafalgar Square, London, where our work was exhibited from December 2004-January 2005.
-As part of the NewcastleGateshead Initiative EAT festival 2009, I planned a series of workshops to design the tableware for an epic tea party that was held over the Tyne on the Swing Bridge. The workshops resulted in 350 plates made up of 32 different designs inspired by the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland.
-I was recently commissioned to design and produce 50 plates for the WAEE (World Alliance for Arts Education) held in October 2009. The designs for the plates resulted from a series of school-based workshops in which we looked at Bridges across the River Tyne.
My work has been sold through Designers Guild and Mint, and has been exhibited at the Lethaby Gallery, and as part of the London-wide design show; 100% Design.
I have just begun an ongoing collaboration with the charity Action Against Hunger, designing tableware with proceeds going to the charity. Other recent commissions include two commemorative tiles for The Priory School in Hexham.
Q&A's
Describe your creative practice in 20 single words.
Tactile. Functional. Decorative. Hand-made. Experimental. Illustrative. Detailed. Varied. Unexpected. Translucent. All-consuming. Traditional. Innovative.
Describe your influences using 30 single words or short phrases.
Feasting. Tactile. Fragile/Robust; Delicate/Strong. Theatre. Circus. Fantasy. Transient moments captured. Reconsidered. Textiles and pattern. Repetition and sequences. Organic forms. Botanical illustration. Words and narrative. Tradition. Innovation. Sustainability. Bringing people together. Wonder.