Fiona Bates was born in Australia and grew up on the south coast of Britain before moving to London to study ceramics at Central, St. Martin’s School of Art and Design she then completed an MA at UWE Bristol in Making and Archiving.

Currently working in her studio in Ilfracombe, North Devon where the working harbour, history of smuggling and dramatic coastline has an increasing influence on her work.

Fiona's ceramics are created using a method called raku which literally means 'happiness through chance'. Sculptures are fired in the kiln at 950 degree Celsius and the surface of the piece becomes carbonised before being washed in cold water. this rapid cooling causes the glaze to crack and the carbon is trapped in these cracks highlighting and enhancing them.