hélène morbu handcrafts ceramic vases with surfaces mimicking textiles

maison et objet fall 2016: french ceramist hélène morbu has been praised for her collection ‘quetzal’ and ‘codex’ vases which explores the iconic shape of a vessel. at the same time, the design embodies an experimental and decorative approach influenced by textures of the earth to fuse together the properties of textiles and ceramics.

all images © hélène morbu

guided by craftsmanship, hélène morbu uses a slow and precise technique that ‘squeezes the earth’ and as a result, the ‘quetzal’ vases display an effect resembling textile or rattan. this unfamiliar yet familiar result is finished in terracotta and earth tones which also references masonry in architecture. this play of color and pattern is also seen in ‘codex’. crafted from sandstone, the plate-like form which measures at a width of 1.19 cm show a crenelated surface reminiscent of lace and fishing nets.

quetzal vases / a new vocabulary between delicate textures and rigor lines is established

codex vases / the ceramist is also influnced by brickwork in architecture

a special technique using combs squeezes the clay to produce the effect

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