The Creature's Who Came For Tea

Installation at The Courts Bristol

The Creatures Who Came for Tea is an installation featuring felt and sewn animals inspired by Beatrix Potter’s whimsical creatures, gathered around a ceramic tea set. The work nods to my roots in Stoke-on-Trent, a city known for its pottery industry, and explores themes of class, industrial heritage, and the divide between working-class and upper-class experiences.

The ceramic tea set in the installation symbolizes the contrast between the working-class origins of pottery production and its association with the refined rituals of high tea. Through this juxtaposition, the piece reflects my personal journey of growing up in the Midlands, moving south, and grappling with imposter syndrome in environments that felt unfamiliar. Ultimately, the work addresses the tension between labor and privilege, offering a commentary on class divides, the working-class experience, and the cultural legacy of the pottery industry.