Collecting Patina – Vases by Anna Varendorff of ACV Studio
One under appreciated element of design is the ageing process. Industrial designers tend to let go of an object in a ‘perfect’ condition and fail to respect the fading version and what happens as the years roll on. Not Anna Varendorff though, a Melbourne-based artisan who crafts vases an
New in the OEN Shop – Japanese Lacquerware by Yusuke Tazawa
It’s really great to support the creativity behind the different makers that we represent and see them run free within their craft and experiment with new techniques that might push their craft forward. Japanese woodworker Yusuke Tazawa has done that here with his new silver and blue makiji la
Crafting a Quality Standard – Handcrafted Lighting by Allied Maker
I believe we undervalue the passion behind the companies who are integrating handicraft in to their overall concept. To create a series of consistent designs across a whole collection that link good design with craftsmanship, not just from a visual sense but also taking in to consideration the maker
New at OEN Shop – A Selection of Collages by Leigh Wells
Our whole goal here on OEN is to support more artists and makers that are experimenting with their creativity. I’ve had my eye on American artist Leigh Well’s collages for a number of years now. She has a fantastic sensibility and I was particularly taken aback by her ‘Versos’
The Middle Distance – Architectural Landscapes by Alichia van Rhijn
The sense of fun and play that architects must have when designing must be so rewarding. I’m sure when functionality comes in to play there’s a big discrepancy between what can actually be achieved thanks to the functionality of a build and the materials available at this current time. I
Connecting Form & Surface – Sculpture by Ceramic Artist Ken Eastman
When we think about clay we tend to link this material to smooth forms that offer a sleek and seamless surface. Even the pottery wheel, one of the most used tools in this craft, is mainly used to construct forms that are cylindrical and offer little in the way of breaks in the overall structure [&he
Harmony in Nature – Kinetic Vases & Sculptures by Agustina Bottoni
There’s a certain balance found in nature that’s hard to depict in a physical object. It’s something I think many of us wish we could attain but feels so far away. Even when using natural materials such as clay or wood the human hand seems to create this boundary between nature its
Truth in Material – Hand Woven Textile Works by LRNCE
Sometimes it’s difficult to see the actual origins of a piece of work. Especially in contemporary design where things are always stripped back. Taking a recent trip to the home and studio of famed British sculptor Henry Moore showed me the value in seeing culture in an object. Viewing his coll
New Feature – Visiting the Studio of Japanese Potter Atsushi Ogata
I’m not really one to get nostalgic about a particular trip or experience but my journey to Atsushi Ogata’s studio in Nara, Japan was certainly enlightening and one that changed many of my thoughts regarding pottery as a craft. It’s funny how the experiences shape you more than any kin
Inspired by the Bauhaus – Geometric Ceramic Tableware by Design K
We’ve covered the Bauhaus extensively here and many of the architects and designers who worked at this famous design school. The integration of craft and design was so important and ripples can still be felt today. We ourselves reference many of thoughts and ideologies that derived from this s
Crafting New Aesthetic – Chairs & Tables by Fomu Furniture
Melbourne has always been on the cutting edge of a new aesthetic. With so much youth in the city and a vibrant art scene it’s obvious to see the reason why. The aesthetic itself is a little harder to pin down but I definitely see the close proximity to Asia, especially Japan, as an obvious [&h
Themes of Life – Works by Korean Ceramicist Jongbo Oh
How can we assume that there’s no story to tell through craft? That our emotion can’t come through in to these natural materials? I suppose thousands of years of functional forms takes the edge off an art that is, and has always been, about self expression. Maybe then, it takes a special