Karen Thompson United Kingdom
Karen Thompson is a contemporary ceramics artist whose work draws on historic and modern influences to blend themes of satire and humour with social commentary. Her practice delves into iconic imagery, twisting and subverting it to tell modern-day stories that are rich in social and political meanings.
Thompson began her formal ceramics education at Kensington & Chelsea College in 2004 before earning a BA (Hons) in ceramics from Bath Spa University in 2008. Her pieces draw inspiration from wide-ranging sources, merging traditional techniques with contemporary cultural critiques to create artworks that challenge perceptions. Exhibiting across the UK, Thompson has shown pieces at venues including The Holburne Museum in Bath, Siobhan Davies Studios, and Berwick Visual Arts. Her ceramics feature in notable public and private collections, including the Crafts Council, the Arts Council, York Art Gallery, Scarborough Museums & Galleries, and Bath Spa University. Now based in Scarborough, on the North Yorkshire coast, Thompson continues to develop her distinctive artistic voice, creating ceramic works that resonate with humor and critical reflection on contemporary issues. Her practice remains a dynamic exploration of how ceramics can be a powerful medium for both storytelling and social critique.
Artwork
Chargers & Face Pots, Ceramics, 2023 - Current
Abstract Portraits , Watercolour, ink, acrylic and oils, 2014 - Current
Farm World Installation, Ceramics, 2012
Beasts / Curious Curiosities, Ceramics, 2025
Tureen Heads, Ceramics, 2013 - Current
Porcelain Sandwiches Installation, Porcelain, 2014
The Trilogy of Death, Ceramics, 2010 to Current
GOVESHY, Ceramic & Wood, 2013
Projects and exhibitions
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Live Portrait Event22/11/2025 Funded by Scarborough Fair, a 3 hour live portrait event where artist Karen Thompson painted visitors to her exhibition, visitors took their portraits away with them on the day. The Scarborough Fair is a year-round programme of distinctive arts, heritage and sporting events at venues across the town. Made possible with investment from the UK... [Read more] |
Mandy Apple Collective, Scarborough | Details |
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Launch with The Shop Floor Project19/11/2025 — ongoing A new collection of large lidded earthenware jars by renowned ceramicist Karen Thompson (@karent.co.uk) has just launched! Like jars from an eccentric 18th century apothecary, these hand built pieces are glazed in different colours and patterns to reference early Staffordshire ceramic animals from the 18th century. Stylised boars, lions... [Read more] |
https://theshopfloorproject.com/collections/karen-thompson | Details |
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Exhibition of Selected Works by Karen Thompson07/11/2025 — 30/11/2025 The Mandy Apple Collective in Scarborough presents an exhibition of selected works by ceramicist and painter Karen Thompson (Karent.co.uk). - Funded by The Scarborough Fair. From 7th November 2025 through to the 30th November 2025. Mandy Apple is a Scarborough Based art collective. The Scarborough Fair is a year-round programme of... [Read more] |
Mandy Apple Collective, Scarborough | Details |
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GNCCF - Manchester17/10/2025 — 19/10/2025 First time taking part in the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at the Victoria Baths in Manchester, stall C08 |
Vicoria Baths, Manchester | Details |
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Head of Ceramics at North Yorks Art School09/01/2025 — ongoing Starting at the beginning of January I took over the role of head of ceramics at North Yorks Art School. This is a part time role which I’m able to flourish in, bringing my years of ceramics education and experience to the fore, I’m loving teaching within this environment. |
North Yorks Art School, Scarborough | Details |
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EXHIBITION – Alveston Fine Art Christmas Show01/11/2024 — 31/01/2025 I’m really thrilled to have one of my TRILOGY OF DEATH sets of tigers, and CURIOUS CURIOSITIES tiger jar included within the fabulous Alveston Fine Art Gallery in Notting Hill, London. These will be on show in the Gallery during December 2024 and January 2025. |
Alveston Fine Art, London | Details |
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EXHIBITION - 108 Fine Art24/06/2023 — 05/08/2023 I’ve been invited to exhibit again with the amazing 108 Fine Art. Such a lovely Gallery in the heart of Harrogate. They have continually had some of my work in the gallery since 2014, but I’ll be showing a significant amount of paintings and new ceramics within this exhibition, the ceramics have been created in my recent artist residency... [Read more] |
108 Fine Art, Harrogate | Details |
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Artist in Residence at the National Glass Centre25/10/2022 — 30/06/2023 I feel very privileged to have been selected for an aa2a artist residency with the University of Sunderland. This will be at their National Glass Center campus and runs from now until May 2023. This is an amazing opportunity and the facilities and equipment that they have available are fantastic. I’m really looking forward to meeting all the... [Read more] |
University of Sunderland - National Glass Centre, Sunderland | Details |
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Creatures of Curiosity16/07/2022 — 04/09/2022 Arts Council England Funded - Co-curated main summer exhibition with over 20,000 visitors. Worked with MakeMore Arts on a story creation exhibition working with 200 schoolchildren in 6 partner schools throughout Ryedale (specifically targeting children in less advantaged backgrounds). A selection of work created in these sessions formed the... [Read more] |
Nunnington Hall (National Trust), Nunnington | Details |
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REWIND: Lets Press Play Together exhibition - Fringe Arts Bath27/05/2022 — 12/06/2022 I’m showing some work at the Fringe Arts Bath Festival 2022 in the REWIND: Lets Press Play Together exhibition in Milsom Place. The exhibition runs from 27th May until 12th June. Link to the FaB website for more information… https://www.fringeartsbath.co.uk/rewind |
Milsom Place, Bath | Details |
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Crafts Council – The Power of Experiences Film05/12/2021 — ongoing I was invited to take part as one of the makers exploring the experience market by the Craft Council. Sarah Mace-Dennis put together a very beautiful film looking at 4 different makers/groups and the Craft Council recently put the film up on their website and youtube page. I’m 9 mins 12 seconds in if you want to jump to find me although I... [Read more] |
https://youtu.be/uS5qydXQ3sM | Details |
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Crafts Council - Design your Future25/11/2021 — ongoing Funded by Crafting Europe and commissioned by Crafts Council, UK, A filmed artist presentation for professional development use, targeted for use at artists setting out on their career |
https://youtu.be/dfma3UcAf7o?si=LrjlZrrxX_d4Ugjl | Details |
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Artwork included in new Emmanuel Cooper book17/10/2019 — ongoing A little illustration I drew of #emmanuelcooper and sent to him as part of my #badgered project has made it's way into this book just being released... looking forward to getting a copy and chuffed that I have been included :) @emmanuelcooperestate @unicornpubgroup |
n/a | Details |
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Delivering a Masterclass for the National Saturday Club03/05/2018 I’ve been invited by Lady Frances Sorrell OBE to run a Masterclass at Bradford college of Art & Design for the prestigious National Saturday Club Trust. I’m very excited about this project and feel extremely honoured to be working with the National Saturday Club Trust. |
Bradford College of Art, Bradford | Details |
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Clay Bust Workshops - Arts Award23/02/2017 — 24/02/2017 Two days running a clay bust workshop as part of the Battersea Arts Centre, Scratch Fund. This was in conjunction with Scarborough Museums Trust and Arts Award |
Scarborough Museums Trust / Battersea Arts Centre, Scarborough | Details |
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The Big Draw - Scarborough Museums Trust07/10/2016 — 04/11/2016 1 month delivering The Big Draw sessions in local schools in Scarborough in conjunction with Scarborough Museums Trust. I devised 1 hour illustration workshops working with ink pens and watercolours. |
Schools: Seamer & Irton, Braeburn, St. Martins, Hartford Vale, Newby & Scalby and Hinderwell, Scarborough | Details |
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WORK SPACE PRESSURE13/05/2016 — 11/06/2016 An exhibition that explores phenomena that add to the pressures of contemporary working life. Work Space Pressure showcases international contemporary artists who address the burdens of artistic labour and the increasing volatility of the modern working environment. Time, materiality and tension between private and public activity are used... [Read more] |
University of Essex, Essex | Details |