South African/British ceramic artist Katy Stubbs uses clay to tell stories. Her journey began at the School of Visual Arts in New York in 2015, where she first delved into the realm of narrative expression through classic, two-dimensional forms such as illustration and cartooning. However, it was the multi-faceted complexity inherent in ceramics—the myriad layers, angles, and dimensions—that ultimately beckoned Stubbs to explore the boundless avenues of storytelling within this dynamic medium. Less concerned with the expression of self, Stubbs rather communicates wider, more universal narratives she perceives of the human experience. With a long-standing appreciation for Classical Civilisations, Stubbs masterfully translates the timeless themes found in Greek mythology into the contemporary laments that have pervailed into our modern world: jealousy, hubris, gluttony – all will be punished in the end. Her tactful remoulding of the traditional amphora into vessels that echo their essence yet lack their function, humouressly toys at clay’s typically perceived marriage to utiltity, whilst immortalising the often morbid fables found intricately depicted on their surfaces. There exists a compelling parallel here between the artistic practices of Stubbs and one of South Africa’s foremost ceramic artists, Hylton Nel. Nel, an acknowledged muse for the budding ceramicist, became a pioneer of exposing darker social truths through the masquerade of humour and whimsical absurdity. His oeuvre is replete with national symbolism, featuring Proteas and Springboks, all entwined in a playful array of colours and inviting adaptations. As a result, these symbols become transformed as they are reimagined into a new national consciousness. In this way, Nel grapples with the unsettling political realities of late 20th-century South Africa, blending whimsy with profound commentary. Stubbs’ engagement with universal themes and her subversive approach to traditional forms echo Nel’s own artistic journey. Both artists employ humor and myth to challenge and reflect upon societal norms, creating works that are rich in narrative and symbolism. Stubbs’ reinterpretation of classical myths within modern contexts resonates with Nel’s reimagining of national symbols, illustrating how ceramics transcend mere craftsmanship to become a profound medium for storytelling and social critique. Stubbs therefore exposes narratives that bridge the temporal divide, creating works that eloquently speak to the human condition across ages. Her creations stand as testaments to the enduring power of clay, metamorphosing myth and symbol into vessels of deeper understanding and reflection.