Kartini Thomas

Ceramicist

©Vincent Baldensperger

©Margaux Vie

Bringing joy through ceramics

Kartini makes ceramic sculptures
Each piece may be fired up to ten times
Her creations have a playful aspect to them

Following a first degree in biology in Portland, US, Kartini Thomas came to Paris to study applied arts. She took up ceramics after a friend suggested she try it, and she has been hooked ever since. She took a leap of faith when she left her previous profession to focus solely on her art, motivated by her persistence and strong belief in the value of her work. After founding a collective studio bringing together over 20 creative residents in Toulouse, she has established a studio on the Island of Oleron where visitors can discover her uniquely recognisable style. Colour and structure are essential to her pieces, which are made to be interactive, with decorative attachments allowing the viewer to change the shape of the sculpture.

Interview

©Vincent Baldensperger

©Vincent Baldensperger

When did you discover ceramics?: I had been making sculptures with other materials and a ceramicist friend suggested that I try porcelain to make more detailed and durable works. Working with porcelain was a revelation, it appealed to all my senses. I was quickly convinced I needed to understand this complex and limitless material.
Do you master any specific techniques?: My areas of expertise are colour and structure. I developed techniques for applying engobes and glazes that create depth and rich colour. I have also been exploring architectural aspects: how to create modular and interlocking forms that allow for variation and encourage play.
Why did you choose to make it your career?: I felt that I had something to offer the world in the way of playfulness and colour, another way of seeing things. My creations seemed to strike a chord with many people in that they felt more lighthearted and joyful when interacting with them.
How does tradition come into your work?: Growing up with anthropologist parents, I was lucky to see ancient ceramic vessels, figurines and even abstract works from all around the world. My childhood was filled with this iconography, which had such an influence on my work.

Kartini Thomas is a rising star: she began her career in 2016 and she started teaching in 2019