Karine Hilaire

Ceramicist

©Valerie Dray

A life's adventures in clay techniques

Karine learned throwing from acclaimed ceramicist Gregoire Scalabre
Her work draws inspiration from textiles and the cultures which created them
Rather than perfectly executed pieces, she aims to create spontaneous emotions

Karine Hilaire is a person of many lives. Born and raised in France, she first set out on a career path in fashion, with ceramics for a hobby. She moved to London, where she nurtured her passion for clay and developed her artistic skills. In 2010, she became a full-time ceramicist. “Clay has endless and alluring possibilities. It is a tactile material that responds to your spirit,” says Karine. Over time she has developed her signature techniques of sgraffito and sponging, has experimented slip trailer motifs, and underglaze decorations, without settling on only one particular style which she feels would entrap her. Karine moved to Ericeira, in Portugal in the early 2020s, opening a new studio, reconnecting with nature, and embracing a more sustainable lifestyle.

Interview

©Valerie Dray

©Valerie Dray

How would you define your creations?: I make decorative pieces which often take on sculptural forms. They are colourful, with an eclectic mix of motifs and forms which juxtapose feelings of playfulness and sensuality, movement, and repetition. Each pattern is unique and I decorate and paint them free-hand.
Do you feel there is a signature in what you do?: I like to explore the possibilities of arrangement through a collection of related forms and examine the ideas of ritual, femininity, and movement. The use of coloured slips and mark making have become signature traits of my work.
Is there one thing about your work you would like to share?: My pieces are not fully thought-out in advance and come from some deeper, shadowy part of myself that manifests through the clay. It is often the material and pattern that suggest the piece to me. I find decoration and repetitive gestures extremely soothing, a bit like an ongoing meditation.
What tips do you have for those embracing this craft?: To the up-and-coming generation of ceramicists my advice is simple: keep making! Do explore the boundless possibilities of this material to find your own personal identity through clay. Keep your eyes and mind open to the exploration of shapes, colours, and textures.

Karine Hilaire is a master artisan: she began her career in 2010 and she started teaching in 2012