After studying graphic design, Richardson moved to Birmingham as a secondary school art teacher in the early 1970s, when she met Monica Ross and Phil Goodall, who together formed the Birmingham Women's Art Group. Such women’s groups across the UK were eventually brought together through the British Postal Art Event of the mid-1970s, initially led by two neighbours Kate Walker and Sally Gollop, both feminists, mothers and artists. The collective initiative evolved into the ground-breaking project 'Feministo' and a series of exhibitions and installations around the UK, including the acclaimed presentation 'Portrait of the Artist as Housewife' at the ICA, London in 1977.

‘Potted Thoughts, For Kate [Walker] on Mother’s Day Plant’ (1976) is the first in a series of crocheted potted plants created by Su Richardson, made in honour of Kate Walker and her dedication to supporting the work of women artists. This work features a plant in full bloom, while another cactus-shaped version stuffed with pins, ‘Potted Thoughts, Crisseteus Prikum-Pin Cushion Plant’ (1976), was made for a less supportive friend.