Björk Haraldsdóttir

Ceramicist

©Björk Haraldsdóttir

©Cavaliero Finn

Clay stole her from architecture

Björk is a trained architect with a keen understanding of construction
She creates monoliths of pattern in clay
Her work is both technically skilful and personal

Before starting a career in ceramics, Björk Haraldsdóttir worked as an architect for various high profile studios including Richard Rogers Architects. Changing her career after many years, happened in a fluid way through part time training and a significant amount of self-teaching and experimentation. Her work as a ceramicist has strong architectural influences. It is a conversation between 3-dimensional form and bold monochrome 2-dimensional pattern. Yet there is a personal touch: each piece is hand built and the patterns used are created from traditional Nordic textiles or patterns in nature which echo back to her childhood in Iceland. Each design is painstakingly carved into the pieces with a skilful hand.

Interview

©Björk Haraldsdóttir

©Björk Haraldsdóttir

What are your sources of inspiration?: My work is unequivocally architectural and is influenced by my training and profession. However, natural forms reflecting my upbringing in Iceland are also reference points. My work, like most art, is a manifestation of the enduring themes of my experience.
How do you create your surface patterns?: Firstly, I paint the piece with two coats of slip. When the surface has dried, I accurately draw the pattern onto it using strips of paper and pencil. Using metal tools I scrape the slip off, revealing two-tone monochrome patterns. This creates the desired pattern and also a surface texture.
What is different about making art versus architecture?: Producing an artwork strips away the burden of technical and legislative constraints to leave only the creative act; a liberating situation. However, I still think as an architect. I plan and draw works before they are made but ‘feel’ and adapt the work as it is made.
Can you tell us a memorable moment in your professional life?: There are quite a few but the single most memorable moment was when I first walked into my very own (and first) studio in the summer of 2011. It was exhilarating, smelled divine and it was full of newly delivered clay. I couldn’t wait to start and I haven’t stopped since.

Björk Haraldsdóttir is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2010