Marie Canning, winner of The Peoples Choice award at The Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey (2025), is a Ceramic Artist who’s practice conveys the message that we are interconnected with nature and animals. Her creations are a tangible reminder of the beauty, individuality and spirit of the animal world. Through her thoughtfully and intricately crafted porcelain dioramas, which feature animals in a gentle and playful light, she encourages us to see them not just as creatures, but as beings deserving of respect, compassion and protection.
Play, wonder and magic are woven into Marie’s work. We are inspired to reconnect with a sense of childlike playfulness and curiosity, finding joy in the world around us. The beauty and tranquility of her pieces create a safe space for us to discuss the challenging topic of animal rights.
There have been various points in history where women have been forced to loose their connection with nature and animals. During the witch hunts in Europe and North America, it was enough for a woman to reveal a love of animals or to possess knowledge of plants and healing practices for her to be accused of witchcraft. As patriarchal systems evolved, women were expected to fulfil domestic, subservient duties in the home. Women and particularly those in the working class and marginalised communities, were denied access to positions of authority in the natural world and excluded from decision making regarding animal rights and sustainable farming practices.
The resulting emotional distance between women and animals has had a catastrophic effect on the mental wellbeing of women, the wellbeing of animals and our planet. As women lost their inherent value, so too did animals become more objectified and their emotional and spiritual significance diminished.
Women are natural nurturers, protectors and guardians of nature. As we begin to reignite our deep connection to animals and the natural world, we recognise our innate desire to live an interconnected life with the world around us. It helps us feel connected and supported. Restoring this ancient bond reminds us of the larger interconnected web of life that we are each a vital part of.
Marie Canning graduated from Manchester School of Art in 2012 with a 1st class BA (hons) in Three Dimensional Design. Following a ceramics residency at Guldagergaard International Ceramics Research Centre, Denmark in 2013, she began exhibiting and selling porcelain wearables and objects at reputable shows and gallery shops nationally and internationally. During this time she was selected as a participant in the Crafts Council Hothouse scheme. More recently and inspired by her animal rights activism, she has begun making porcelain nature dioramas that tell stories of the farmed and wild animals who dwell within them.
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