About

Rachel Tolputt Bruce makes handbuilt earthenware ceramics, inspired by man made surface textures that have been eroded by time and weather.
The surfaces of her pieces are richly layered with multicoloured stripes often interwoven with repeat patterns from textiles, constructed metal, dress patterns and printed texts.
She uses a combination of construction techniques including slabs, moulds, coiling, embossing and incising to create simple vessels, tubes, bottle forms and bowls. All of which embrace the haphazard textures and scars that arise through the construction process.
Her pieces also often have tuning pegs, pins or paddles intersecting the form, small windows and sometimes wire and thread additions that bind small sections.
The surface texture is enhanced by building up a series of thin layers of underglaze colours, adding pattern in the final stages and sometimes a very thin layer of satin glaze to seal the surface without high gloss.

Some of her most recent work abandons the restraints of multiple kiln firings and experiments with painting and collaging the bisque surface.

Rachel did her BA in 3D design-ceramics at Bristol UWE.
Followed by an artist in residence post at Aiglon College, Switzerland.
She currently teaches Art at Marlborough College, Wiltshire, UK.