Today we chat with Sydney ceramist Naomi, of beautiful ceramics label Studio Enti, who finds that working with everyday objects brings a sense of grounding and purpose to her practice. Read on to discover more about Naomi and her beautifully earthy and tactile creations.
Tell us a bit about studio enti and what products we can expect to discover?
Studio Enti is the name for my art/design practice which currently involves a small number of ceramic products and ranges. I work predominantly with slip cast porcelain and have been exploring the contrast between material hues, finishes and the experience this creates for the user. Working freely and accentuating the imperfections in each piece, I create everyday objects that show their handmade origins and that have a unique character and qualities.
What is your background and how did you start working with ceramics?
I studied at The College of Fine Arts in Sydney, first beginning a Bachelor of Fine Arts but after a long deference to travel, returned and completed a Bachelor of Design majoring in Ceramics and Object Design. My Mother had a pottery business so I have been surrounded by clay from a young age – our styles are worlds apart, but my creative assimilation into ceramics undoubtedly began there.
What inspires your work? What keeps you motivated creatively?
I am inspired by the purity of making – the purposefulness of the craft and how making allows me to impart a genuine part of myself into the physical world. It is a real and tangible connection between presence and purpose – also incredibly challenging (ceramics is not for the faint hearted)! as well as being deeply satisfying.
Creatively, I am inspired by colour and texture as much as conceptual problem-solving. Most of my work for Studio Enti is simple and has a clean, easy aesthetic but has arisen from a long period of experimentation and trial and error. I like that I have a range of products that are both beautiful and useful as a base for my business.
What is your workspace like and what is your creative process?
I am currently working in a large shared studio and have a small space to call my own within a greater organism. I like to take my time with developing ideas and I find that they do tend to evolve quite naturally once you begin to experiment. There are so many stages to developing ceramic pieces, so it is a slow process. I hope to spend more time focusing on creative development of my work in 2015.
What challenges have you faced starting your own label, and what are some things you love about it?
There have been a lot of challenges… ! For me it is really about the ceramic process and getting to a point where my practice is something I get to know and understand completely. Starting out and not having the ability to fire often and learn the subtle skills of firing and how the various pieces respond in the kiln has been by far my biggest challenge. Having just purchased my own kiln, I am looking forward to honing my work in the final firing and building a relationship with the kiln gods!
What new projects are you working on and where would you like to see studio enti in the future?
I am very excited about a couple of lighting projects that are coming up in the near future – I have been waiting patiently to get started on some ideas that I have had for a long time, so I am looking forward to combining beautiful porcelain with light which is always a match made in heaven. Hopefully 2015 will see Studio Enti work on some interesting collaborations and explore new materials in products as well.
