Planning your week? Don’t forget to reserve your free ticket to catch Abbie Sunter sharing her thoughts on our global theme of Vision, this Friday 18th from 09.30am @derbymuseums Museum and Art Gallery.

I’m Abbie, a ceramic artist. My work explores the connections between culture, folklore, identity and place. I have always been fascinated by ancient cultures from around the world but for the last two years, I have found that what I was searching for in other cultures could be found in my own. By searching for something intangible, like the idea of place I found that the history of place; both real and imagined, when rooted in landscape, can exist as a vehicle for storytelling and mythmaking in art.

I moved here in 2010 to study Fine Art at the University of Derby, after finishing my BA in 2013 I took part in a few exhibitions and artist residencies, during that time I also found myself almost randomly, becoming a part of the team that delivered the famous “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” poppy project at the Tower of London.

For the next several years I began to slowly work away on building up my own creative practice as a ceramic artist. From delivering children’s workshops, to working in schools and eventually, getting my own studio at Banks Mill, the mission was simple – don’t stop doing what you love.

Since 2018 I have continued to push my practice forward and in 2022, I decided the best way to do that was to return to the University of Derby to gain my master’s degree. During this time, I also became an Incubation Co-Ordinator for Banks Mill Studios, using my knowledge as a tenant of 5 years, to help guide the next generation through this exciting next step. I also started a second job working as Technical Support in the School of Arts, helping to support students in the ceramics department. Apparently, I am a glutton for punishment when it comes to giving myself too much to do.

When I’m not covered in clay, I am also;

An eater of good food

Watcher of great movies

Listener of all kinds of music

…and a Dairy Milk enthusiast