Kate handmade Lachrymatory 4 – Ocean Acidification while on artist residency at the European Ceramic Work Centre in the Netherlands. This piece is part of Kate’s Ocean Data Lachrymatories series.  She researched datasets relating to the health of the ocean and was inspired by Edison’s early sound recordings. Kate translated specific ocean datasets into geometrically patterned sequences on her hand-operated lathe. She slipcast this sculpture series in porcelain using a complex process of specialist hand-turning and mould-making.

This piece focuses on ocean acidification and its geometric patterns are embedded with related datasets. Each horizontal band represents a separate piece of information. Resulting from climate change more carbon dioxide is being stored in the ocean. As carbon dioxide is absorbed into seawater it reacts to create carbonic acid. Not only does this change the pH of the ocean it reacts with calcium carbonate, affecting the health of mollusks, corals and weakening shells. This sculpture represents ocean acidification using a calcium carbonate based glaze.

Supported by a Sundaymorning@EKWC grant, the National Lottery through Creative Scotland and Making Waves Ceramics Trust.