Cassie Butcher calls her ceramic figures ‘souls’. Each soul hints at an inner soul, may be several, some more distinct than others. In one figure, that inner soul is in the shape of a keyhole. The external and the internal self are both present.

I first bought some of Cassie’s ‘wayfaring souls’ some years ago. About 20 figures of different heights and sizes were grouped together on a table in a gallery in Bakersville, North Carolina, USA. It was like a ‘meet the family’ moment. I immediately thought how she had captured something about people in groups, whether families, communities or therapy groups.

Each of her figures has a different pattern and sometimes a different size yet they look related. This made me think how people in groups are both similar and different at the same time. They have a great need to connect, but the desire to stay separate can be very strong. The therapeutic benefit all stems from the connections and interactions between them.

I took three of the figures home to London where they have accompanied me on my own wayfaring journey. This year I returned to North Carolina and made contact with her in her studio in Asheville.

It was no surprise to learn that she was a psychology major in college. She sees her art and psychology as definitely connected, art being a fantastic and therapeutic way to communicate and also for the viewer to gain a different perspective. Her heart lies in helping people, as does mine.

She was very enthusiastic about my wish to link her art to my work through my website. We chose the images together. I hope they convey something powerful to you.