OEN Issue 2 – A Visit to Woodworker Shuji Nakagawa’s Studio
With hundreds of years of tradition comes hundreds of years of history to uphold. No pressure then. It takes a special maker to not only take a craft by the scruff of the neck, but to run with it and adapt in a contemporary way; to translate the work for a new audience while holding […]
Searching for Nature’s Elements – Pool & Aqua Series by Anna Badur
From the elaborate curves of certain plants and the detailed patterns on seashells to the soft flow of water, nature’s design offers plenty we can draw from to use in creative processes. German artist, Anna Badur, has always had a fascination with nature and is often using its principles as in
A Merging of Cultures – Mirazzo Furniture Collection by Robert Sukrachand
New York-based furniture designer Robert Sukrachand excels in creating sophisticated pieces dominated by clean lines. Having split his formative years between the United States and Thailand, much of his work hints at a merging of cultures. By combining techniques, odd materials, and traditional imag
A Craftsman’s Touch – Danish Contemporary Weaver Karin Carlander
I’ve been thinking about the knowledge that a craftsman has and their relationship with material. I think it’s something that’s slowly being lost in this digital age. Through the use of material, the touch in our hands, we are able to really process the capabilities of it, not just
Crafting A New Vision – Wood Furniture by Atelier Cedric Breisacher
It’s rare to come across a designer with a sensibility that’s so natural and flowing. I think when we’re young much of this originality is driven out of us, possibly through our need to find stability and control in our lives, or other factors that surround us as we age. French des
New at OEN Shop – Bronze & Lacquer Tableware by Chaehoon Moon of Damoon
There’s an interesting transformation when two surfaces combine. Chaehoon Moon for example, a young passionate creative who has been able to harness Korea’s traditions by working with two separate craftsmen, a Korean metalworker and a lacquer artist, to create these stunning forms that h
Eroding Surfaces – Flaws by French Creative Marie Liebhardt
French artist, Marie Liebhardt, uses textures to tell a story through her ceramic collection titled, “Flaws.” Like sidewalks, walls, furniture, and building facades, the pieces in this collection are not perfect. Time deteriorates them, brings out flaws in the materials, common textures on an un
Archetypal Expression – Metalwork by Lebanese Craftsmen for Karen Chekerdjian
As far as metalworking is concerned, Karen Chekerdjian creates some truly unique pieces. Originally from Beruit, Chekerdjian lived in Milan for a brief period of time where she honed her artistic craft. In 2001, she moved back to Beruit and opened her design studio. While commercial design was still
Drawing Inspiration From Architecture – Atelier Vierkant’s Ricarda Series
The Belgian ceramic studio, Atelier Vierkant, knocks the merging of form and function out of the park with this series of naturally inspired ceramics. The Ricarda collection should be celebrated as a beautiful, comprehensive collection that shows a mastery of sculpting and color theory. As an artist
Integration of Nature – Textile Wall Art by Swedish-American Studio Küdd:krig
If you are looking for a creative, minimalist, piece of wall art, then look no further than the great pieces created by Küdd:krig. Based in Long Beach California, this Swedish-American store artfully crafts each piece by hand with ethically sourced materials. One of my favorite things about Scandin
New at OEN Shop – Pre-Order OEN Issue 2 Now
I’m really happy to announce the release of our second book ‘OEN Issue 2’ which is now available to pre-order in our shop. This one was certainly more personal as I met a number of craftsmen and visited different locations specifically for this book. There were a few issues along t
Earth’s Changing Surface – Many Moons by Ceramic Artist Christina Liu
There’s something about the change in surface on any handcrafted object that definitely moves the heart. I suppose the field of ceramics is especially true in this regard, considering the natural materials used and the ever changing nature of the vessel while it goes through a firing. It’
