Karen Morton Ceramics
Craft
2nd August, 2012
Handmade ceramics by Karen Morton - photograph by Armelle Habib, styling - Julia Green
Handmade ceramic vessels and bangles by Karen Morton - photograph by Armelle Habib, styling - Julia Green
Karen Morton is a local ceramicist with an impressive pedigree. After originally undertaking a Master of Fine Art in Dublin, she went on to travel the world, settling in New Zealand for five years, where she worked mostly on large scale paintings - and a four-storey mural in the Manawatu Gallery! Now based in Melbourne, Karen still exhibits her artwork, but has also spent the past few years developing functional ceramic vessels and accessories for the retail market.
Alongside her own brand 'Kaz', Karen was very chuffed recently to be invited to create a range exclusively for respected Melbourne retailer Husk. 'The range I have just designed exclusively for Husk was very exciting, it's one of my favourite stores and I am delighted to be represented there' says Karen. 'The process of designing the range was very organic, it all began when my wholesale agent, Julia Green, approached them with one small tile with a hessian imprint on it - From there it evolved into a dish, a bowl a spoon and a chopping board...and who knows where to next!'.
When not in the studio developing ceramic ranges or making orders for clients, Karen works part-time in the Art Department at a school in Mt Eliza - 'I love this balance, as working in a studio full-time you can feel very isolated, for me it's important to feel connected with the outside world - I'm a very social person!' she says!
Melbourne retailers can catch Karen's work this week at Life Instyle, where she's exhibiting alongside a small group of other excellent independent designers / makers at the Greenhouse Interiors stand.
Ceramics by Karen Morton for Husk - photograph by Armelle Habib, styling - Julia Green
I really really like these. Thanks, will track them down.
Gorgeous, warm pieces. I love Karen’s colour pallet. Just beautiful!
i love the bowls! i like that she doesn’t just make one thing.
Soooo lovely!
Absolutely stunning. I think I may need to make some purchases. :o)
Love these! Are they available for purchase in the US?
A big fan of ceramics an stoneware. Loved the ones in solid colors though I reckon the white/black ones must be difficult to make.
We LOVE Kaz too!
love, love, lovvvvvvvve these , original , beautiful and talented work :)
Beautiful pieces – we can see clearly the Celtic influences in Kaz’s work………
Beautiful facet bowls and gorgeous colours. So difficult to make and continually replicate- this really shows skill, dedication and talent. Lovely fresh designs. Great stuff Kaz!
So nice to see the humble bangle & everyday objects recreated in to usable pieces of art.
Kaz, I love your geometric bowls, flat resin bracelets and stunning use of colour. Your a sensation and deserve every sale that comes your way! Clearly you are a very clever lady!
The bowls with the hessian design is so innovated, I haven’t seen anything like it. I love the primitive look with the black on white simplicity
Lovely geometric bowls! I just found this blog, need to start following so I’ll know all the good stuff in Australia. Will be moving there from Finland in about five months and I know Scandinavian design, but Aussie design is quite new to me. After all I have a whole home to decorate there due to not taking pretty much anything with me. :)
Where can I purchase these online?
I absolutely adore your work!!! Your jewellery is stunning, the colours, the shapes the designs. You are such a talent. I enjoyed reading about your professional journey in the current issue of Home Beautiful. Well done.