Tim Copsey

Tim Copsey studied sculpture at Bretton Hall (now the Yorkshire Sculpture Park) and alongside his developing ceramics practice has had a three decade long career in film, collaborative and digital arts. He has work in many private and public collections and is one of the 24 artists featured in the recently published Contemporary British Studio Pottery. He’s also know for his thought-provoking and occasionally humorous films featuring his ceramic work and was given an honorary mention at the 2024 Manises International Ceramic Film Festival. He has been ceramic artist in residence at UCLan for the past two years and shows work widely.

Describe your approach to teaching
I’ve delivered throwing and hand-building workshops to all levels of ability, I aim to be relaxed and learner-led and I think that sometimes the freedom to be playful, think laterally, and have a low-stakes creative moment is very valuable.

What inspires your own work?
I aim to combine the opulent and the organic. The Peak District landscape is motion, flux, texture and luster, it provides both inspiration and material; rushing waterfalls and the dark reflections of peat pools. Rock formations inspire layered, undulating, coarse forms, whilst grit and granite are often folded into the surface itself. My pieces are both about and of the landscape: a conversation with their environment.