@hudakayceramics

Instagram: @hudakayceramics

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

Oh hi everyone! I’m Beth, I grew up in a small Norfolk village but now live in Yorkshire, where I’ve been for around 10 years. I’m the artist behind Hudakay Ceramics, which I started in Oct 2019 after making a new years resolution to learn pottery. The name Hudakay is the phonetic spelling of my French surname, in case you wondered!

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

I like to describe my work as fun and functional. I feel it’s important for my pieces to be useful but to also evoke a positive emotion. They’re colourful, amusing and almost always represent the human form. I have a particular style that developed from my time studying illustration + the nose shape is actually a family trait!

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

It’s taken me a long time to find my ‘thing’ but clay is definitely it. It’s a love affair I wish to have forever. I just love being so hands-on and really feel like I get to know the medium more, each time I work with it. 

4. What is your artistic process like?

I’ve compiled a list of useful household objects, so I tend to pick something from there and then either make it naked or put a face on it. I start with sketches and then just get stuck in with the clay.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work? 

I find Inspiration from many places - vintage objects, life drawing, traditional art and Pinterest/Social media. I also love working in a community studio so I can get inspo and tips from fellow potters!

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

I’m a very visual person so art is incredibly important to me. I feel I experience the world in a creative way, always appreciating small juxtapositions, colours and gestures that tend to go unnoticed by others.

I’m part of an ‘art club’ which is essentially just me and my friend learning new artistic skills and drinking a lot of wine!

7. Where did you study?

I studied Fine art and Illustration at Coventry University - absolutely loved it. I actually didn’t do any sculpture at university, so I’m not quite sure where my love for ceramics came from!

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I don’t tend to think that far ahead! But I’d like to be a full-time ceramic artist and have my own studio where I can host pottery workshops. Plus I want to learn how to throw and I’ll probably have a second dog. 

9. What about in ten?

Hopefully living in France with a bunch of kids and chickens, making pots in my barn-converted studio whilst drinking wine and eating cheese simultaneously. Maybe having the occasional dip in my pool.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I hope for my art to bring an element of fun to every day, functional objects. I also hope to encourage empowerment and body positivity through nudity. 

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

Love this -always happy to talk about food! I have many favourites so this is an impossible question for me. But here goes… Avo and eggs for brekkie (with halloumi), gotta throw in a baked camembert somewhere, then defo some Japanese dumplings, sushi and ramen for dinner. Also hummus and crispy kale for snacks. Yum!

12. Favourite book?

I find myself drawing more than reading, so don’t tend to have a favourite book I’m afraid! Does the ‘ceramics bible’ count?

13. Favourite genre of music? 

Contemporary piano - Chilly Gonzales, Yann Tierson and Ludovico Einaudi are a few of my faves. 

14. What are your hobbies? 

Painting! I also play piano, run, do yoga and collect houseplants and hideous cat ornaments.

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

Well, I currently work full time as a Customer Service Manager for an ethical clothing brand. So I guess that? But if I had a choice, I think I would be a florist or an interior designer.