Olivia Fiddes, Clay Master
Scottish potter Olivia Fiddes’ bespoke ceramic pieces emanate a sense of gentleness and sensitivity. Working from a shared studio in London, Olivia creates beautiful objects and wares using hand building techniques such as coiling, slab building, and pinching. Coiling is a meticulous process, one which allows Olivia to develop her forms in size, manually.
Opting for traditional hand techniques over the use of a wheel, moulds or slip cast means that Olivia’s pieces are entirely unique and no two pieces are the same. This process also enables Olivia to lose herself in her own creativity and discover the shape and design with the feel of her own hands rather than a machine. It’s a process of trial and error in which she’s constantly learning and developing her skills. The end result is a product made with delicate imperfections – charming characteristics and trademarks of the artist.
Working in an organic and earthy colour palette, Olivia designs her objects and vessels for private clients and collaborates with artists, designers, and brands – such as Bonjour Supermarket, AP Shop, and Faye Toogood.
Sustainability is an important factor in Olivia’s practice and she utilizes re-claimed clay from her shared studio to make her ceramic creations. Re-using clay from previous projects means she’s able to give new life to the material and ensure there isn’t any wastage. Her work is typified by elegant imperfection, simplicity and ethical production.
Olivia’s collaborations with various artists and designers have broadened her portfolio to include an enchanting collection of ceramics, such as vases, plates, teacups and saucers, tea strainers, mugs, bowls, and trays.
In an array of glazes, sand buffed stoneware, clay, porcelain, intricate patterns and shapes, Olivia’s work is meticulous and the final result is gentle and soft to the eye and touch.
Credits: Olivia Fiddes
Photography:
Images 1, 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 16: Johanna Tagada
Images 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15: Ben Seeley
Image 11: Olivia Fiddes
