Viken and Ekbacken

An exhibition of ceramics by Lotta von Bulow

Granite/Porcelain Cylinder - Small 42 is from the collection Viken

Viken takes its name from a natural bay found in the archipelago just outside Stockholm, where Lotta practices her ceramics. Inspired by organic surfaces and water reflections, Viken pieces have a textured surface: grainy and sand-like, achieved by the mixing of porcelain and stoneware clay. Each piece is wheel-thrown and shaped by hand, then bisque-fired, glazed on the inside, and finally high-fired. In either a neutral oatmeal achieved via oxidation in an electric kiln or a soft greyish color, the result of the reduction process in a gas kiln, every Viken vessel is unique, with the texture and tone differing slightly each time. Viken is best displayed as a collection of three or more pieces, balancing symmetry with the contrast of texture, height, and shape.

Dimensions:

Height: 12cm

Base width: 6.5cm

Top width: 7cm

About Lotta von Bulow

Ceramicist and Interior Designer Lotta von Bulow lives and works between London and Stockholm. With a signature aesthetic of classic, understated design, Lotta works predominantly with porcelain or a porcelain/stoneware clay mix to create collections of vessels. The work is done with a limited colour palette of soft muted tones, which, when coupled with the unglazed exterior, results in pieces that are understated yet captivating. Her porcelain pieces are often hand-polished at the end of her process to soften the surface to near perfection. The mixed clay pieces, in contrast, are given a rougher, textured surface for an unpolished look. It is suggested that the one-of-a-kind pieces are displayed in groups of three or more to obtain the engaging visuals intended by the designer. Inspired by both architectural angles and natural shapes and textures, Lotta's designs are brought to life in sketches before being wheel-thrown, glazed, and high-fired in London or her Stockholm archipelago studio.