Bringing art to everyday objects: Combining ceramics with other materials to enhance the aesthetics of functional items.

Fine ceramics hold an uncanny allure, captivating even those who are not particularly art connoisseurs. Without frequenting galleries, one can easily encounter these works in everyday life, especially in carefully curated spaces like cafes, if the owner has a discerning eye. A soft spotlight illuminates a corner of the room, an oil painting on a gray wall, and a peculiar ceramic vase beside it; enough to create a hallowed aura of academic art in a mundane living setting. This academic quality in ceramics is truly enchanting.

A Da Lat (Vietnam) cafe features some intriguing vases. I wonder if they're ceramic. The forms are so unique that I can't help but imagine how much more captivating they would be with a Raku glaze. In any case, I'm drawn to the sculptural quality of these pieces and how they enhance the cafe's ambiance. Photo credit: Duong Ngan.

How to make applied ceramics look 'artistic'

Applied ceramics, in essence, are the everyday objects we interact with: cups, bowls, vases, lampstands, and so on. Often mass-produced, their primary function is utility, not aesthetic appeal. However, we can elevate these objects by reimagining their purpose. For instance, instead of using a decorative pillar for cooking, hang it on a wall to enhance your interior decor.

As consumers, you can shift your perspective. As manufacturers, the possibilities are even more exciting. Today, technology like 3D printing and AI offers innovative ways to design unique, artistic ceramic pieces. By creating 3D models, manufacturers can mass-produce ceramic items with intricate details and stunning aesthetics.

Read more about how AI is impacting the ceramics industry

But do you know what the difference is? Functional ceramics, after all, still have to adhere to certain structural rules so that it can be produced quickly and sold to many people. There are many professional reasons for this: saving space in the kiln, making it easy to 'de-mold'. The replication of ceramics often requires the use of plaster molds. Clay slip is poured into the plaster mold to form a shape, so it will be very difficult to remove if any point of the design is stuck in the mold. The clay item and the mold need to follow one direction, gradually narrowing or widening depending on the viewing angle, so that the sample can be lifted out of the mold smoothly. Recall your 12th-grade spatial geometry knowledge to imagine this. Otherwise, you have to create a mold consisting of many pieces. Creating a multi-dimensional mold is very complex, so functional ceramics must also be simplified to optimize labor, and ultimately to save production costs. Who wants to pay a lot of money for an item that is not one-of-a-kind?

This is a fine art ceramic sculpture by Lisa Clague. Could we mass-produce something like this? Yes, but it's a bit complicated. The process would involve creating a digital 3D model (with AI maybe), 3D printing it, making a plaster mold, and casting clay slip into the mold. The mold-making part is the tricky bit, especially for complex, multi-dimensional designs. As a manufacturer, I'd need to simplify the design to make it easier to mold. So, instead of focusing on intricate details, I'd experiment with different artistic approaches.

Functional ceramics have the potential to be more artistic without resorting to the complex structures of unique art pieces. By adopting the mixed-media techniques commonly used by artists, functional ceramics can achieve a higher level of artistry.

Functional ceramics are elevated through the combination of materials

1. Ceramics + Woods

All elements are grounded in earth. Hence, the combination of ceramics and wood feels so natural. Ceramics provide a cool touch, while wood offers warmth. Both materials can be manipulated to create countless styles. Moreover, each piece of wood is a unique creation of nature, exuding a sense of luxury and sophistication. This is a classic pairing. Wood and clay have been used in decorative arts by skilled artisans for centuries, and their combination remains a popular design choice.

A ceramic tray crafted from a natural olive wood piece, inlaid with ceramic tiles. The combination of ceramics and wood results in a truly 'applied art' piece in the Mediterranean style, perfect for both use and display. Image from the e-commerce website of Battilani Sapori, a long-standing Italian brand specializing in local products.

2. Ceramics + Metals

The combination of metal and ceramics is more than just materials; it's a new design language. A growing number of alloys are being used in decorative applications, offering an elegant and luxurious look at a fraction of the cost of gold and silver. I still remember the 'oh wow' moment when I first saw a pair of earrings made of rose gold stainless steel. It's no wonder that applied arts designers are eager to combine this beauty with ceramics. The diverse surface effects of metals, from mirror-like shine to matte sophistication, can be paired with various ceramic forms to create a cohesive work of art.

A multi-functional vase by ANNE LINDSAY STUDIO, combining glossy black glazed ceramics with a steel mesh frame. Image sourced from the brand's website.

Beyond the simple combination of forms, the interplay between ceramics and metals can create entirely new materials. In fact, clay often contains trace amounts of metals, which influence the appearance of the finished ceramic piece. Metals can also be intentionally added to clay to increase its durability and create unique effects when combined with glazes.

Recently, Vietnamese cloisonné artisan Do Huu Triet introduced a new concept, "Viet Kim Dieu", referring to a material he created by combining ceramics and metals. Its unpredictable, mottled appearance is reminiscent of fine art. While I haven't seen it applied to functional ceramics yet, I suspect it's safe enough to use for storing water or non-acidic foods, given its primary components of copper and clay. Copper pots were considered luxury kitchenware in ancient Vietnam due to copper's ability to enhance the sweetness of rice. If coffee cups were made from this material, I would definitely buy one to elevate my morning coffee experience.

The unique surface textures of Viet Kim Dieu. Photo from artisan Do Huu Triet's Facebook.

3. Ceramics + Glasses

Ceramics are essentially partially or fully vitrified clay, making them close relatives of glass. Glass is transparent and capable of refracting light. When skillfully combined with ceramic glazes, glass can reflect the deeper color intensities of the glaze, creating a more captivating overall piece that resembles an abstract painting with intricate details.

A ceramic vase by JOSTUDIO37 featuring a harmonious inlay of colorful glass. Image sourced from Etsy

4. Ceramics + Resins

This is the most modern combination I'm personally eager to try. Firstly, it's incredibly easy to craft at home. Secondly, it's not very common, compared to the aforementioned materials, and I love experimenting. People often perceive plastic as cheap, but they forget the transformative power of design that can elevate this material to a new level of beauty and... price. Epoxy resin can easily mimic ceramics, while being much more affordable and easier to work with. When combined with ceramics, it adds texture. For example, if you want to create a rough-textured Raku vase with glossy drips like porcelain, it's almost impossible to achieve this entirely with clay. However, you can easily drip epoxy resin onto the vase to give it that glossy ceramic look.

A unique blend of glazed ceramics and resin-filled interiors characterizes WOODLAB's artistic, multi-material bowl. While this piece showcases intricate craftsmanship, its design concept is highly adaptable for producing functional ceramics on a larger scale

With the integration of multiple materials, functional ceramics are no longer merely utilitarian items

From an applied artist's perspective, I feel like I'm floating in a boundless sea of creativity. There's a fear that technology is evolving so quickly that art might become outdated. I've always held the belief that everything nice should be replicated so that everyone can access beauty, as it's essential for a fulfilling life. With the abundance of materials available today, ceramics don't have to be confined to a niche. It can seamlessly integrate with other materials to offer aesthetically pleasing consumer experiences.

And Hand Fetish Projects will be more than just ceramics. Ceramics are merely the starting point, as the name implies.