Making space: the vision behind Sunken Studio
“In the age of distraction, making demands all your attention and asks for nothing back but nurture.”
We asked our founder, Rebecca Catterall, to share the moments, beliefs and values that have shaped her.
Can you tell us what led you to the idea for Sunken Studio?
“It certainly wasn’t an impulsive decision. Rather, Sunken Studio was born from the place of isolation I found myself in as a maker. I’d been teaching, but I’d fallen out of love with it (I was working too much, and I’d even stopped making). Teaching in formal education didn’t fit who I was anymore, so I felt the need to explore a different route for myself.
I’ve always enjoyed learning, and connecting with ideas and concepts through materials, so I began forming the idea of setting up a pottery studio. I imagined a place of openness and togetherness. I felt encouraged by my Master’s at Alfred University in upstate New York, where I’d learned from international ceramists and forged new habits inspired by incredibly motivated and forthright people. I’d had the opportunity to move in new circles, helping me envisage a studio of multi-use nature.”
What is it about making itself that drives you emotionally?
“Making is deep work – it pulls me down, and into, myself, so I can then perform better in the other areas of my life. It’s calming and centring, helping me manage my anxiety.
Ceramists, and other makers, have so many metaphors for body and mind related to form. One I love to think of is how clay teaches us to deal with grief. Clay never loses its ability to be lost – you can smash it, break it, piece it back together from its shards, or accept its new state of being. There’s so much we can learn and absorb from piecing together parts to make a whole.”
Though these sentiments are intrinsic to how I feel about making, I find I never settle on one ‘name’ to call myself as a maker. It used to be ‘ceramist’, but I feel increasingly less connected with that. I always come back to ‘builder’ as it encompasses a lot more of what I do: moving components to get to where you need to be.”
Inclusivity at the root of the community you’ve created at the studio. Why is that so important to you?
“As a student in New York, I was fortunate enough to receive funding, and to get by on limited means, so I could have the experiences I did. So when it came to setting up my own studio, shared access and inclusive space was always my objective. Getting started in ceramics is a big barrier to entry (for example, many people would like access to a kiln). It was important for me to create somewhere with learning and making equality at its core.
In that, the studio is transformative. I meet people whose lives are changing even just a little bit as they start seeing value in themselves and their time.”
How is your role at the studio shifting as time goes by?
“I’ve not been making as much in recent years while developing Sunken Studio. That’s been hard for me. I struggle to navigate issues as easily and I miss working with my hands. But as the studio enters its ninth year and shifts from organic to strategic growth, I know now’s a time for relearning.
It’s difficult, as I like to be at the coalface, meeting and connecting with people. I’m learning how to take myself out of the studio itself and run the business, rediscovering my values and continually investing in myself and the studio community. I’m very reflective by nature – a ruminator – but I need to balance that with considering the bigger picture of what I’m doing.
I like bringing people together but I’m an introvert, which I know is a paradox! Yet the studio attracts these people, like me, who want to connect without being shouty and loud. I feel my people are here with me at Sunken Studio. I’m most proud of what we’ve created when it all just ticks over. It’s such a testament to the studio team and the people using the space when the pieces all fall into place.”
Rebecca’s top takeaways:
“Don’t undermine who you are. Work at your own pace, in your own way, for yourself.”
“Labelling a type of making adds a sense of grandiose that isn’t necessary. Being ‘simply’ a craftsperson is a fantastic accolade to have.”
“Investing in yourself is really important. Regardless of your background, lifelong learning equality is vital so find a space, like Sunken Studio, to facilitate that.”