Katie Upton-Roddy

BA (Hons) Artist Designer Maker

As a Maker I am inspired by sustainable materials and design. In a world of limited resources, I feel it is crucial to consider the impact that our making processes will have on the environment. My lighting designs are made using a waste by-product of sheep farming and as a result is a completely biodegradable wool-based material. Sheep’s wool currently has a very low demand and farmers often end up sending it to landfill. My work creates a second life for the low value material, resulting in a high value product, which is environmentally friendly. The forms of my lighting also reflects our environment as they are derived from naturally weathered rocks from the welsh coast.

For some designs I have used steam bent, Welsh timber to engage with traditional skills and contribute to encouraging the use of locally sourced, sustainable materials. My work challenges the issue of the increasing global supply chain of cheaper materials resulting in quality, local timber being used as firewood. My work promotes the connection between designers and locally sourced materials with the view to make quality, high value designs.


Fel Crëwr rwyf wedi fy ysbrydoli gan ddeunyddiau a dyluniad cynaliadwy. Mewn byd o adnoddau cyfyngedig, rwy’n teimlo ei fod yn hollbwysig i ystyried yr effaith y bydd ein prosesau creu’n ei chael ar yr amgylchedd. Mae fy nyluniadau goleuo’n cael eu creu gan ddefnyddio sgil-gynnyrch ffermio defaid ac o ganlyniad i hynny mae’n ddeunydd cwbl fio-ddiraddadwy sy’n seiliedig ar wlân. Ar hyn o bryd mae galw isel iawn am wlân defaid ac yn aml mae ffermwyr yn ei anfon i safleoedd tirlenwi. Mae fy ngwaith yn creu ail fywyd i’r deunydd isel ei werth yma, gan arwain at gynnyrch gwerth uchel sy’n llesol i’r amgylchedd. Mae ffurfiau fy ngoleuo hefyd yn adlewyrchu ein hamgylchedd gan ei bod yn deillio o greigiau wedi’u hindreulio’n naturiol o arfordir Cymru.

Ar gyfer rhai dyluniadau rwyf wedi defnyddio pren o Gymru a blygwyd ag ager er mwyn ystyried sgiliau traddodiadol a chyfrannu at annog y defnydd o ddeunyddiau cynaliadwy o ffynonellau lleol. Mae fy ngwaith yn herio mater y gadwyn gyflenwi fyd-eang gynyddol o ddeunyddiau rhatach gan arwain at ddefnyddio pren lleol o safon fel coed tân. Mae fy ngwaith yn hyrwyddo’r cysylltiad rhwng dylunwyr a deunyddiau o ffynonellau lleol gyda golwg ar greu dyluniadau gwerth uchel o safon.

Other Exhibitors:

Emma Don

Emma Don

Everything I Can See is an autoethnographic project exploring sight through stop motion animation. Since receiving a sight threatening diagnosis in 2012, I have become even more aware of the precious sense informing my artwork. A remission period, after 10 years of...

Bethan Lowri Hughes Jones

Bethan Lowri Hughes Jones

Gwyllt y Ddaear This collection is a combination of commercial and hand-sourced materials; combined to improve the sustainability of my collection. Made from commercial terracotta, which I reclaimed, the main glaze ingredient was wild clay from Traeth Aberlleiniog,...

Brynn Alred

Brynn Alred

How can we create a coexistence with the climate we live in? As a maker and craftsman I seek to nurture an embodied connection with the environments we find ourselves in. Revealing connections between materials and land. Combining these with the people, plants and...

Zoe Worton

Zoe Worton

Currently working in clay and wood, I have created a body of work that demonstrates an eclectic range of processes including hand carving, wood turning, ceramics and advanced technologies. Wood has become my prime material in all its forms, having a functional basis...

Bethan Grace Mason

Bethan Grace Mason

Ocean Essence My admiration for the coastline and the replication of textural elements that are often overlooked is what formed my enthusiasm for this project. ‘Ocean Essence,’ embodies the surroundings of specific shorelines to present wall art through texture,...

Harri Hughes

Harri Hughes

Machine Making Machine Making explores the development of autonomous manufacturing devices, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with 3D printing clay, and developing novel approaches to ceramic manufacture. Drawing inspiration from my interest in throwing, I...