Katie Muir is a Dundee Based artist going into her fourth year of Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. She is a multi media artist with a focus on ceramics. Muir’s interest in Contemporary sculpture pushes her to sculpt in a modern, textured style. She embraces the  evidence of the creator’s mark; whether that be the artists fingerprints or the tools they have used to carve away at the material. She is inspired by process and therefore drawn to pieces where this evidence of working has been left exposed, hinting at how the work has been created, such as the work of Carol Peace who welcomes the “fluid marks” of her working. These traces of the artist give the artworks character.

See Katie’s work as part of our exhibition of work by emerging artists, Starter Pack, curated by gallery intern Hope Reynolds. Starter Pack is many things: it’s a grass roots opportunity for artists to begin, or expand on, their repertoire of exhibitions, to connect with other artists in Glasgow, to further their understanding of working with galleries and curators, and to gain publicity. Starter Pack runs at Six Foot from August 12th to August 26th.

Hi Katie! Can you tell us your artistic background and your earliest memories of being interested in art?
I am lucky to have parents who have always encouraged my creative endeavours. Recognising my interest in art very early, they filled my young years with craft kits, paint sets and miniature models. Their excitement around my creativity was my biggest push into the arts. 

How did studying at an institution shape you as an artist? Did the experience impact your work or methods? 
Studying fine art at DJCAD has had a massive impact on my understanding of art. Learning where my personal work sits in the wider conversation of both contemporary and historical art, has greatly influenced my practice. I think that it is important to have this external influence to effectively express the intentions behind your work. 

I was also very nervous to show my artwork publicly when I was starting out, and still find this a bit nerve-racking. I have felt encouraged by people’s interaction and enthusiasm both to my pebble mosaic installation (which is public facing by nature) and to my paintings. Something that has helped me conquer this fear has been discovering how diverse people’s tastes are. Sometimes the work I am most excited about gets little interest, while a piece I was originally unsure about is very popular allowing me to see it from a new perspective. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

Can you elaborate on the themes you explore in your work?
My recent work has been inspired by my personal experiences with physical touch and relationships. My Girlfriend has become my muse, and I’ve been making work about her for the last year or so, but I continue to come back and explore themes of mythology and our natural world. 

What is your chosen medium, why do you enjoy working with it?
Clay can be a difficult medium to manage as it has a tendency to be sensitive and unpredictable. I love to experiment with new ways of working with the medium, through both problem solving and embracing the trial and error that accompanies the material. 

What are you working on right now? 
I’m currently working on a tile based project where I combine my interests in ceramics and printing, creating pieces that cross the boundaries between those specialisms. I start by covering my body in paint and use it as a stamp to print onto ceramic tiles. I then let the clay dry before carving away at the surface using the paint as a guide. Taking inspiration from life, these carved prints reflect affectionate moments I share with my girlfriend.

I seek to emanate the feeling of being wrapped in someone’s embrace. The relationship between two women is so nurturing and gentle. I capture the nature of this connection in the softness of this artwork. I’m still in the process of glazing it and I am so excited to see the final piece.

Can you share a glimpse of your next project?
My next project will be my degree show. I’m keeping my mind open as to what his project will become. I want to start with a conversation around the nude female body in art and go through a process of experimentation and research to learn as I work.

Find out more about Katie’s work on her website or Instagram. Starter Pack runs at Six Foot Gallery until Tuesday 26th August 2025.