
WORKWEAR is our monthly feature in which we explore the traditions and symbolism of clothing and footwear worn in practical environments through conversations with local artists, craftspeople and designers.


KATIE BOCCACCINI MEADOWS | CERAMIC ARTIST | ST LEONARDS-ON-SEA
Tell us a bit about your craft: how it’s evolved over the years and what it means to you to be a maker?
I’m a ceramic artist making functional and decorative ware as well as more conceptual ceramic art usually in the form of video or sculpture.
I studied ceramics at university but after graduating found a job as a textile designer and worked in fashion for 10years before returning to my own practice. I now have a studio in Bexhill and am a member at Common Clay where I make most of my ceramic work.
Returning to working with clay after so long has definitely felt like a home coming. I, like so many people, have a deep deep need to make things and clay is such a rewarding and cathartic material to work with, it feels very primal. Ceramics has such a deep relevance in our history and culture, this has an important meaning in my work and the way I think about what I do. I’ve also found that my textile background has begun to creep into my ceramics practice, my work has become more decorative which I’m enjoying.
What does "workwear" mean to you?
After working in the fashion industry, I can only think of the ‘workwear’ trend that’s been around for the last few decades and I struggle a little to get on board with it. I think the history of workwear is fascinating and an inspiring evolution of developing garments and fabrics with functionally and ingenuity at it’s core.. We have some truly amazing clothes that have been developed over the centuries by the necessity to work.
Although, saying this, I definitely have and wear lots of ‘workwear’ type clothes, and love them :) and actually you could say all the above about so much of fashion.. sportswear is a good example.
What do you wear to studio every day? Do you have a beloved and battered work uniform or do you like to dress up differently to make your artwork?
I really like clothes. It’s another way to express yourself and is a powerful way to communicate, I think it’s challenging because it’s difficult to find who you are in your self expression and I think with clothes you can either decide to not care what you wear (which is saying something in itself) or care, then it opens a whole other hierarchy involving taste and wealth which can be problematic..
I try and not care too much although definitely take joy in getting dressed.
If I’m in the ceramics studio i’ll usually wear jeans (from one of those expensive workwear style brands lol) and like a basic sweater, I usually get pretty messy so I don’t wear anything too precious.
Other than that I mostly wear a vintage mens shirt with jeans or joggers and a vintage t-shirt. I really like shoes, in an understated way, and have lots of coats.