BEHIND THE DESIGN - ODE
We take a few moments with founder and designer Marloe Morgan
Ode is the most recent collection release for Marloe Marloe, what was the inspiration?
Our latest body of work takes a considered approach to design as we explore the well-harnessed carving & mark-making techniques of our manufacturing partners. The collection highlights the production techniques and craftsmanship within each production house. As Marloe Marloe has grown so have our partnerships with incredibly skilled artisans. I have a deep appreciation for clay and the myriad of ways this material can be flexed and persuaded.
The intention of this collection was to celebrate our makers and their honed craft. Steeped in tradition and deep connection, Ode is a contemporary take on traditional craftsmanship & mark making. The Indonesian Islands and Bali in particular have a rich ceramic history that I am just beginning to scratch the surface of after 8 years of making on the island.
Evoking a time long past while bringing the works into the present, this body of work explores the Old, Raw & Feminine.
Can you speak to the creative process behind the collection?
Taking cues from the female form and in praise of the flow within the feminine, I began with a series of hand-drawn abstract line works drawn with ink on paper. These line works created the foundation for the collection. Exploring the contrast between ink and paper, linework and soft curves, this capsule is an offering of cross-category designs. Spanning vase, vanity, ritual and now kitchen.
The linework was shared with our land-standing production partner, Kevala Ceramic and we began to develop this pattern into the following sgraffito pattern you see on the forms within the collection. *Sgraffito (Italian: “scratched”) is a technique of laying down a preliminary surface, in this case, we used a black engobe. The superficial layer is then scratched in such a way that the pattern or shape then emerges.
The theme of linework and flowing abstract form continued as a common thread throughout the development of the collection and can be seen across the works also produced in collaboration with Gaya Ceramic.
*Sgraffito evolved in the tenth century from slipped glazed wares with color splashes, but its origin is still debated among scholars. Derived from an Italian term that means "scratched," sgraffito refers to the technique used to design the decorations.
The Sanur pattern is a strong thread throughout this collection, can you speak to the development and making techniques that made this possible?
Of course, beginning with our cult forms and additional newness, the shapes are slip-cast in plaster moulds and allowed to dry slightly. While still mailable our abstract pattern is drawn on the forms by our artisans. Onto each vessel, a black engobe slip is painted by hand and the Sanur pattern is then hand-carved to create a contrast in both depth and colour. The process of slip application and carving technique is known as ‘sgraffito’. This decorative method is a speciality technique that the Kevala team have honed and is guided by a small team of skilled women. We chose to glaze the pieces with an additional layer of clear gloss to bring the scratched forms into the now. The line work can still be seen through the gloss but the end result is fresh and contemporary with an edge.
The Ode collection expands to include a long-awaited Kitchen offering. Can you talk us through this category expansion and what we can expect to see?
Yes, it has been a long time in development but we are finally able to now expand from Vase and Vanity into the Kitchen. Our works have always been commercial grade and have the ability to be used across all areas of the home but these new pieces have been designed specialty for dining and entertaining.
We are now offering plates, bowls, and mugs for everyday use as well as a curated selection of pieces to accompany you while you are cooking. A selection of salt dishes, canisters, a post resh and a spoon rest has also been released. I love to cook and spend time in the kitchen so I am thrilled to be able to bring a few pieces that I love using when cooking to our community.
This category is here to stay and we have so very exciting pieces in production for November that I can not wait to share.
Finally, what are your favourite pieces from this new collection and how will you be incorporating them into your space?
As mentioned I am very excited about the kitchen pieces. I am obsessed with the Oval dinner plates in Sanur. These pieces are perfect for everyday use at meal times as well as fantastic for serving while entertaining. I am obsessed with the Dasa Canister, the design is so fun and I am loving to use this on the kitchen bench. I am also loving the update of the Estelle bowl in Sanur. I use my Estelle bowl every week as a fruit bowl and also for serving during a meal.
I am a sucker for a form that is practical and beautiful, it is hard to go past that combination.