Since graduating from Camberwell College of Art, Karen has produced mainly figurative ceramic sculptures, creating three-dimensional forms reminiscent of a line drawing or a simple illustration. The figures together or alone bestow an essence of a fairytale or myth.
The sculptures are hand built and decorated with porcelain slip, oxides and sgraffito to add simple line and texture to her work.
Japanese and Korean ceramics have inspired Karen’s interest in simple form and spontaneous surface decoration, through the exploration of beauty found in imperfection and simplicity.
Image credits (from left): Figures with horns, trees and buildings (K Risby), Figure with flowers and two birds (K Risby), Figure with bird and scribble (K Risby)