The elusive human touch present in ceramic pottery is one of the things that has made the art form so alluring as of late. This tactile component combined with earth ware’s idiosyncrasy and unique position at the intersection of art and functionality means that ceramic artists have carved out their own niche in the design world and are more in demand than ever.
The most special ceramics are handcrafted with love by artisans. Some may have a signature aesthetic or design, but each item is made to order and stands apart, so you can be sure that the piece you proudly display in your space is yours and yours alone. They are an easy way to add personality to your home, allowing you to pick out one that truly resonates with your vibe.
From Genevieve Ang in Singapore, who makes delightful “toys” out of handcrafted stone, to Jane Yang-D’Haene in New York, who brings traditional forms of Korean pottery into the modern age, each of these ceramicists have their own style that they infuse into their pieces. Here, find Vogue’s picks of the best contemporary ceramicists around the world who are coiling, glazing and firing the dreamiest pieces of stoneware to shop for your home.
1 / 9
Daisy Toh
Daisy Toh’s works are mesmerising palettes of marbled pastels with never-ending little details to discover. Trained in East Asian ceramic traditions, her practice is technique-driven. Through the use of slip-casting—a method seldom found amongst ceramicists in Singapore, and commonly seen as a mass manufacturing process—she showcases the steadfast relevance of traditional techniques by adapting them to create strikingly modern pieces.
Available at Daisy Toh
2 / 9
Nathalee Paolinelli
From saw-edged rocks to brittle coral, it is the raw and often imperfect beauty of nature that informs Nathalee Paolinelli’s works. Organic forms are captured in paper-thin ridges and delicate textures—each piece a quiet conversation with the natural world inspired by time spent amidst nature around her home in British Columbia, Canada.
Available on Spartan Shop
3 / 9
Jane Yang-D’Haene
Striking the perfect balance between the traditional and the unconventional, Jane D’Haene combines the minimalist forms of traditional Korean pottery with unexpected textures, colours and designs. Welcoming the unpredictability of the pottery process, she embraces the anomalies of form and colour created during firing. The result: sculptural pieces that mimic the earth from which the clay itself is drawn, remarkably contemporary while still retaining a strong sense of history.
Available at D-Haene Studio
4 / 9
Deulkkot Ceramic Studio
Crafting pieces that look like they came straight out of a candy-themed wonderland, this Korean ceramic studio certainly lives up to its refreshing name—which translates to ‘wildflowers’ in English. Whimsical art is hand-painted in bright pastels on each cup, plate, bowl or vase, from fresh summer fruits and coquettecore bows, to cartoonish animals and retro plaid, swirl or polka dot patterns. Emphasising that their works are meant to channel the warmth and delight of a “perfect picnic day”, this is the studio to shop for ceramic tableware that will add a touch of sugar, spice and everything nice to your home.
Available at Deulkkot Ceramic Studio
5 / 9
Ummuramics
Those who frequent local art markets will likely be familiar with Ummuramics’s works. In her hands, clay takes the form of swirling seabed whorls, delicate florals and the ever-changing sky. Curling handles and shifting hues of vibrant colour make her works as unique as they are gorgeous—infusing a dose of joy into everyday objects like mugs and vases.
Available on Ummaramics’s Instagram
6 / 9
Gellyvieve
Genevieve Ang of home-grown label Gellyvieve creates small batches of handcrafted stoneware with the intention of slowing down. Her work—which operates at the junction of art and design—comprises an unexpected range of vases and mugs imbibed with personality thanks to the peculiar faces engraved into them. Architecturally trained, Ang sees herself as a toymaker and her creations as toys, dressed primarily in shades of pastel and pristine white.
Available at Gellyvieve
7 / 9
Jade Paton
It’s hard to believe that Jade Paton picked up pottery as recently as two years ago. While her pieces tend to be functional and are meant to be placed in the home, they could just as easily live in any gallery. Her cups and vases (which she calls ‘vessels’) defy expectations with their fluid, anthropomorphic shapes and quirky handles—and are as diverse as human bodies.
Available on Jade Paton’s Instagram
8 / 9
Adrien Miller
Adrien Miller’s handmade bowls are as fun to look at as they would be to eat out of—each one has a carefully shaped human face or body protruding right from the centre. His functional ceramics allow for the simple act of preparing a snack to be filled with art and beauty. Miller also creates beautiful ceramic busts, which are sustainably made using clay he picks up from studios that would otherwise go to waste.
Available on Etsy
9 / 9
Omelet Trees Studio
Husband-wife duo Nigel and Sarah created Singaporean brand Omelet Trees Studio to find an “oasis of calm” within their lives in our bustling city. Today, they make one of a kind tableware pieces by hand. The slow, careful form of craftsmanship practised by this studio means that while their pieces aren’t always available—each one is made with care and consideration, with delicate folds, dimples and pleats adding an artisanal touch.
Available at Omelet Trees Studio
