Karen Thompson

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.