He transforms these seemingly ordinary items by critically examining their legacy and hidden narratives while addressing personal themes such as depression, queer identity, and his grandmother’s affection for right-wing politicians. Using humor as a tool, he crafts surreal and provocative sculptures, drawing viewers in before revealing the darker undertones of his pieces.
Connor Coulston, hailing from Oldham, is an artist whose work is characterized by a blend of self-deprecating humor, vivid imagination, and the tactile nature of clay.
Much of Coulston's art stems from his fascination with kitsch ceramic ornaments typically found in charity shops or decorating his grandmother's fireplace. He transforms these seemingly ordinary items by critically examining their legacy and hidden narratives while addressing personal themes such as depression, queer identity, and his grandmother’s affection for right-wing politicians. Using humor as a tool, he crafts surreal and provocative sculptures, drawing viewers in before revealing the darker undertones of his pieces.
After earning his MA from the Royal College of Art in 2017, Coulston was selected as one of fifty artists by Sky Arts to delve into the meaning of British identity post-Brexit. He also won the Ingram Prize in 2020 and was the runner-up for the BCB AWARD in 2021.
Currently, Connor serves as the Head of Ceramics at Eton College, where he is nurturing the next generation of artists.