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

Ceramics and serving boards by Karen Morton for Husk - photograph by Armelle Habib, styling - Julia Green