Christine Pike Ceramics

Biograpy: Christine Pike

I took an unconventional route into ceramics, although a passion for sculpture and design was fostered in early childhood.

During my last year at senior school and before starting university I took an apprenticeship in ceramic restoration and learned all aspects of china repair on a variety of pieces from Meissen table centres to porcelain dolls.

After gaining a BA degree in English Literature I thought a career in retail management beckoned but a serious knee injury made me rethink my future and I quit in order to become a self-employed artist, sculptor and freelance writer.

For the past fifteen years I have focused mainly on soft sculpture, for which I have received international awards. I have also designed for several toy manufacturers. However, a move to Norfolk in 2007 provided me with the opportunity to build a studio suitable for a kiln and thus enabled me to return to my first love, which is clay sculpting. Now I divide my time between my soft sculpture work and electric kiln-fired ceramics. I also write for specialist craft magazines both in the UK and USA, and I am a regular contributor to the Anglian Potters’ newsletter.

• 1984-5 Apprenticeship in Ceramic Repair
• 1985-8 BA English Literature, Chichester University, West Sussex
• 1999-2000 Designed the official Harley Davidson bears for Franklin Mint, USA
• 2001-2 Designed for The Cotswold Bear Company Ltd.
• 2007-8 Part-time ceramics course, Hills Road Adult Education, Cambridge
• 2008-Current Designing for Charlie Bears Ltd.
• September 2009 Residential hand-building course, The Sculpture Lounge
• April 2010 Residential hand-building course, The Sculpture Lounge
• September 2010 wax-sculpting course, The Sculpture Lounge

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