Through the eyes of material and process designer Sara Howard from London, UK.
Sara joined Kevala as a part of a transformative long-term artist residency at our headquarters in Sanur, Bali. Her mission: to pioneer innovative solutions that would elegantly seal the waste loop in our ceramics production. The synergy between Sara and Kevala produced a fourteen-piece collection, meticulously crafted from locally sourced materials originally destined for landfill.
Q . How would you describe yourself as a creative?
I would describe myself as a material and process designer for the ceramics industry, but ultimately that is a tiny fraction of what I do. When I reflect on this project what I see a large proportion of my work really being about is building an understanding of the waste flows within a community and connecting people to form relationships. This sets the foundation of Circular Ceramics, which I see as just the tip of the iceberg. The tableware collection embodies these symbiotic relationships between people, and industries, that allow us to create valuable products that can responsibly meet demand.
Q . What intrigues you about the ceramic medium?
Initially it was the designing through making that caught my attention. Being hands on with a material and designing solutions using three dimensional models felt the most natural for me. I later found out there was lot more to ceramics when it came to materiality, than what I initially thought. The clay body alone can be made up of 8+ minerals, sourced from various locations, to create a durable and reliable body. Glaze compositions are another world. As a ceramicist, you accept that it will take more than a lifetime to master
Q . When was the first time you encountered clay?
I was 19 when I was first introduced to clay as a design medium. Having previously been drawn to interactive art and functional products, ceramic tableware became the perfect medium for me to explore both of these avenues.
Q . What informs your choice of form and surface finish for your collection?
I revel in setting myself parameters to work within, that allow me to achieve a certain goal I set out for myself. The form for the Circular Ceramic collection is entirely dictated by the choice to extend the lifetime of the product. Particularly when the tableware’s destination is more often than not a hospitality environment. This is in contrary to the colour of the pieces, which I am rarely in control of. Once I have reclaimed a waste stream and understood its behaviour, I compose a glaze composition and accept the colour for what it is. Colouring oxides are often associated with the highest ecological and social impact in ceramics, so I exclude these from my collection. Recent developments in my research have led me to source a range of colouring oxides from consumer waste, so you may see a bit of colour coming through in future collections.
Circular Ceramics: Kevala x Sara Howard
Circular Ceramics is the embodiment of symbiotic relationships and material
flows that previously did not exist.
The ‘Through The Eyes’ Artists Collaborations
Explore Kevala through the eyes of our global artists as they sculpt and shape their unique perspectives into our journey. Delve into the stories behind the designs, their inspirations, challenges, and personal narratives, providing insight into the profound connection between Kevala and their imaginative minds.
