The Art Of Carys Martin


I am an artist, ceramicist, writer, and educator inspired by folklore, nature, and the stories carried through generations.

Originally from a small hamlet in Cumbria, in the north of England, I grew up surrounded by fells, ancient woodlands, stone walls, and a rich tradition of folklore and storytelling. Those early experiences continue to shape my work today, finding their way into my ceramics, artwork, oracle decks, and creative projects.

After completing a BA (Hons) in Art, studying in both the UK and USA, I went on to exhibit and teach across the UK, Australia, and internationally. My creative practice has evolved through many disciplines, including printmaking, painting, writing, and ceramics, each influencing the way I approach making.

Although I have lived in Australia for many years, the landscapes that most often inspire me remain those of Northern England and Wales. The moss-covered woodlands, winding becks, standing stones, and old stories of those places continue to find their way into my work. Folklore, seasonal rhythms, ancestral memory, and our relationship with the natural world are recurring themes throughout everything I create.

My background in printmaking continues to influence my ceramics today. I am drawn to layers, texture, mark-making, and surface decoration, often combining raw clay surfaces with richly decorated details and handmade glazes. Whether creating a functional mug, a sculptural artwork, an oracle deck, or a piece of wall art, I am interested in how objects can carry story, meaning, and connection.

Today my work extends beyond ceramics to include original artwork, oracle decks, workshops, and The Stone Circle, an online space dedicated to folklore, reflection, creativity, and connection.

At the heart of it all is a belief that the things we surround ourselves with should be made thoughtfully, used often, and treasured for years to come. In a world of mass production and constant consumption, I am drawn to slower ways of making - creating objects and experiences that encourage us to pause, notice, and reconnect with what matters most.

Early Influences

Creativity was woven into everyday life from an early age. My mother is an artist, and the village where I grew up was home to a remarkable artistic community.

One of the most significant influences on my childhood was the LYC Museum and Art Gallery in Banks, Cumbria, founded by the internationally acclaimed artist Li Yuan-chia. Created within former farm buildings, the museum became a vibrant centre for contemporary art, bringing together local artists, internationally recognised practitioners, exhibitions, printmaking, performance, and community.

As a child, I spent many happy hours exploring the galleries, playing in the gardens, visiting the children's art room, and making use of Li's seemingly endless supply of paper. It was a place where creativity felt accessible, exciting, and woven into everyday life.

Looking back, those early experiences helped shape my understanding of art not simply as something to be viewed, but as something to be lived, shared, explored, and used to connect people.

That belief continues to guide my work today.


Li Yuan-chia outside the LYC Museum and Art Gallery

Farmers Weekly Art Competition - Farms of the Future. 1980 (I think!)

 

Carys on the potters wheel in the early 1980's

Exhibition History

  • ‘Real Art’ Journal. Limited Edition book of prints. Sold in Galleries and Tate, London. 1991 No 1, 1994 Vol.2 No.5, 1995 Vol.2 No.7, 2000 Vol. 3 No. 3.

  • Craftsmen at the Priory, Lanercost, Cumbria. Annual group exhibition 1991-1999

  • Potsdam Art Show, New York State Uni. 1994

  • University Art Degree Show, York. 1996

  • Affordable Art Fair, London. 1999

  • Wolfson College, Oxford University. Solo Exhibition. 1997

  • Linacre College, Oxford University. Solo Exhibition. 1998

  • Hanover Gallery, Liverpool. Group exhibition. 1999

  • The Little Things Art Prize. Saint Cloche Gallery, Woollahra 2018

  • Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence. Brisbane Institute of Art 2018

  • Old School House Gallery, Cleveland 2019. 2022
  • Elemental. Ceramic Arts Queensland annual members exhibition, Brisbane Institute of Art 2023
  • The Art Of Imagination. Finalist. Royal Queensland Arts Society. Petrie Terrace Gallery, Queensland. 2023
  • Whispers From The Woods. Machinery St Gallery. Artisan. Solo Exhibition. Brisbane.  Dec 2023 - Feb 2024
  • Glass House Gallery. Plant Empire Solo Exhibition April 2024
  • Work in private collections in UK, America, Canada and Australia

Media - 

Carys's Art degree exhibition

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