Ceramics are having a moment. Over recent years, the attitude towards hand crafted functional pottery has shifted and it’s more popular than ever. From high art to functional tableware, there is truly something for everyone.

And it’s the handcrafted creativity that catches the eye – with as many ceramic artists out there as there are different tastes, more and more people are opening up to something that’s beautiful, fun and functional.

Handcrafted with love – the beauty of ceramics

The reason for the ceramics renaissance lies in the creators. It’s the human touch that gives ceramics that special glow – this along with the sheer breadth of design out there make it something really special.

Ceramic artists are limited only by their creativity and those that are carving their own niche are gaining more popularity all the time.

Whether it’s a one off commissioned piece or in conjunction with small-batch wholesalers, people are discovering the joy of ceramic tableware and homeware that bring life, light and beauty to their homes.

7 ceramic tableware artists to look out for

Mark Wainright

US-based ceramic artist, Mike Wainwright has been throwing pots for 30 years and has sold more than 15,000 units. He specialises in giftware and tabletop ceramics and is stocked in hundreds of independent stores across the US.

Wainwright blends utility with art and concentrates on evoking nature and beauty in the functional. He makes the majority of his ceramics in his own space in Great Barrington, Massachusetts and, while he has global experience with his business, says that his favourite thing is to be on is own throwing his pots – this is the heart of his work and shines through every piece.

Natalie J Wood

Edinburgh-based ceramic designer and maker specialises in minimalist design. She makes her own plaster moulds to create slip cast Parian ware (a type of biscuit porcelain that was pioneered in the mid 19th century to imitate marble).

Her designs focus on unique colours and clean lines and are self-described as ‘minimal homeware’. She produces a range of cups, plates and carafes in a collection called ‘Detsu’. This comes from a combination of the two aesthetics that inspire Wood – the ‘tsu’ comes from genjitsu, which means reality in Japanese and the ‘de’ from the Dutch for ‘the’.

Daisy Toh

Daisy Toh is based in Singapore and was trained in East Asian techniques. This can be seen in her beautiful pieces that are extremely detailed. Her colour palette is generally pastels with a marbling effect and her technique is shot through with lots of little details.

By using slip-casting – a technique that is more usually used in mass manufacturing – Toh combines the traditional with modern to create covetable pieces for the home.

Jane Yang-D’Haene

Based in Brooklyn, Jane Yang-D’Haene’s studio features her ceramics, which are inspired by her upbringing in Korea. D’Haene is inspired by the minimalism of traditional Korean ceramics but blends them into the modern through the use of contemporary textures, designs and colours.

This ability to combine her heritage with the contemporary zeitgeist resonates with those who want to add pieces with an energetic beauty to their home. D’Haene says that she loves the ‘unpredictability’ of making pottery and likes to incorporate any anomalies that crop up during the process into the final design.

Jade Paton

Jade Paton has only been making ceramics for a couple of years but her pieces blend functionality with artistic beauty as if she’s been doing it for decades. Most of her ceramics are aimed at the home as functional pieces but could easily be displayed in a gallery somewhere. Promoting her wares via Istagram, Paton is an example of the new breed of ceramic artists, unconstrained by tradition or process.

Paton creates vessels that she says are as diverse as human bodes, showcased with anthropomorphic shapes and quirky design flourishes.

Adrien Miller

Adrien Miller exemplifies the fun and quirky creativity that’s possible with handcrafted ceramics. Each one of his bowls has a human face protruding from the centre, giving a unique twist to functional items. Miller also crafts ceramic busts using waste clay in a drive for sustainable art.

Omelet Trees Studios (OTS)

OTS launched in 2016 in Singapore and is the brainchild of a husband and wife. Both Fine Art graduates, the duo created what they call a slow living studio space in their home as a respite from hectic city life.

They make each piece by hand and specialise in functional artwork for the home, replete with the unique flourishes that come from each maker’s processes. This means that every piece is unique and made with love.

Resurgence of interest in handcrafted ceramics

In conclusion, the resurgence of interest in handcrafted ceramics highlights a broader shift towards appreciating the artistry in everyday objects. Artists like Mike Wainwright exemplify this trend, blending functionality with artistic expression to create pieces that resonate with beauty and practicality. Wainwright’s dedication to his craft, rooted in decades of experience and a deep connection to nature, shines through in his unique tableware, making each piece not just a functional item, but a work of art.

As more people seek out these handcrafted treasures, the diverse and innovative approaches of ceramic artists worldwide continue to elevate the role of ceramics in our homes, transforming them into spaces filled with life, creativity, and personal expression. Whether it’s Wainwright’s nature-inspired designs or the minimalist elegance of Natalie J Wood, these artists are redefining what it means to create functional art for the home.