Christopher Taylor

Orange Route

I have been a ceramicist in some form or other for the past 30 years.
My training saw me working as an apprentice in several ceramics studios in the UK before establishing my own studio in 2003.
I returned to Art School in 2009 studying Ceramics and Glass at the Royal College of Art where I focussed on developing my knowledge and understanding of surface decoration techniques.
I now make work using a combination of traditional hand making skills alongside digital technology to produce vessels which explore the connection between surface decoration and its relationship to narrative, form and process.

Behind the Scenes
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About My Practice

I make wheel-thrown pots that become canvases for my decorative ideas. I design and print my own surface patterns, often starting with digital drawings. Using screen-printed transfers, brushwork, stencils, drawing, and various ceramic processes, I build layered surfaces whose interacting textures create unconventional visual interest.
I draw inspiration from ceramic history, using traditional forms, patterns, and the established language of pots as a starting point. I then aim to subvert these elements to create work that feels new, unexpected, and engaging.
I’ve been making pots for 30 years, and for the past 12 I’ve worked with the process described here. In 2026, I’m returning to a full production schedule for the first time in several years.

Tools & Materials

I work on the Crichton Estate in Dumfries, in a large Victorian stable block where I also spend much of my time teaching. I make my work by hand or with simple production methods—mainly the potter’s wheel—and I don’t hide imperfections. I use a range of clays and materials to create surface decoration, and I fire the pieces in different ways to add further interest to the finished work.