September 2024: Recipient 048, Haoran Bie
The 48th recipient of the Creatives Grant is Haoran Bie! Haoran is a ceramic artist and designer based in London. We found his work really exciting. It is handmade, so clean and contemporary. We respect the craft, skill and precision that’s obvious behind that sleekness, the experience and work that it must have taken. His work is also whimsical, playful, still functional and beautiful. It’s an approach to art, design and craft that I really respect and enjoy. Why shouldn’t the objects in our homes, that we use everyday, be very very cool and interesting? Why shouldn’t they be pleasing and delightful! Art belongs in homes and in hands just as much as like, clean white walled galleries. We grateful that we get to support Haoran’s work in this way, and we hope this grant will enable him to continue making things that feel tender, exciting, whimsical and skillful.
BIO:
Haoran Bie is a London-based ceramic artist and designer whose work is deeply rooted in the meeting point between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. With a background in product design, Haoran has been working on his ceramic skills since 2021, specialising in throwing, ceramic casting and mould making. His artistic path is characterised by a commitment to exploring the expressive power of clay, blending functionality with aesthetic innovation.
One of Haoran’s notable works is the ‘’Stairs Cup‘’ series, which fully reflects his approach to ceramics. Made from porcelain, the series combines precision throwing techniques, handmade creativity and ceramic casting techniques. The ‘ Stairs Cups’ reflect Hao Ran’s fascination with architectural forms and the interplay between geometric structures and organic flow. Each cup in the series features a staircase-like design that is not only functional, but also adds a dynamic visual element that invites the user to engage with the piece in a tactile way.
In addition to his solo work, Haoran co-manages a ceramics studio in London calls ‘4AM STUDIO’, where he and his colleagues take a hands-on approach to everything from sourcing raw materials to the design and production of ceramic pieces. The studio’s work, including the ‘Staircase Mug’, is regularly exhibited at markets across London and attracts a wide range of collectors and enthusiasts.
Haoran Bie’s work exemplifies his dedication to ceramic craftsmanship and his ability to innovate in the field of ceramics. His work reflects his artistic philosophy that each piece is an exploration of form, function and material. As an ever-evolving artist, Hao Ran has always been committed to push the boundaries of what ceramics can achieve as functional objects and works of art.
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