The inspiration for the design of the objects originates from a personal experience: the comforting act of grabbing my mother’s arm. Since childhood, this has given me a deep sense of safety, which I sought to capture in the design of my ceramic pieces. This feeling of security became the foundation for my work.

 At the same time, I drew inspiration from assistive dining aids designed for individuals with limited mobility. While these tools are functional, they often highlight a sense of difference or separation from traditional tableware.

Color also plays a crucial role in my designs. I chose shades of red, blue, and green for their positive effects on the senses, psyche, and way of establishing visual connections to important things.

Process

I started by trying to recreate the grab around my mother’s arm, by experimenting with plaster in balloons, squeezing them to create different organic shapes.

I played around with grib, size, and form.

The larger models felt the best in my hand and had a beautiful, body-like quality, so I decided to focus on those.

I sketched ideas for how these shapes could turn into cutlery, focusing on spoon-like designs.

To achieve consistent colors, I decided after some tests, to color the porcelain slip with stains and use a glossy transparent glaze.

To give my pieces a deeper sensory feeling, I experimented with balloons, condoms, elastics, and plaster to create forms that echoed the body’s natural rolls and structure. While this was fun, not everything turned out to be practical.

I then started casting smaller amounts of plaster into balloons to create small balls that I used to shape the indentations in my spoons.

I made the complex molds in four parts, with a plug included, so that I could turn the mold during casting and create a solid, seamless object.

A central goal of the project was to provide a new dining experience, encouraging users to step outside their comfort zones. By using these unique serving objects in a group setting, individuals, regardless of ability - are invited to explore new ways of dining together. This shared experience should foster a sense of unity, as everyone is on the same journey of discovery. The collective engagement creates a safe environment, where participants can feel supported in their exploration, knowing that they are all navigating this new experience together. This inclusivity allows individuals to connect over a common activity, enhancing feelings of belonging and value within the group.

2024

Final objects.