If you’re looking for a new pot for your plant, look no further than these adorable handmade ceramic dogs. They also double as pin cushions, cups, salt and pepper shakers, and toothpick holders.
They’re created by Eleonor Bostrom, a Swedish ceramic artist who splits her time between Stockholm and San Francisco. Her speciality is creating sculptures with function, just like these dogs that add a little whimsy to one’s home while serving an integral role in daily life.
Here’s a little part of her interview with 7×7.
Although your subjects range from people to houses, dogs feature most prominently in your work. Why dogs?
Some people are baby crazy, I’m dog crazy. I’ve always had dogs growing up, so now out of lack of having a dog I make them out of clay. And why don’t I have a dog? Well, it’s an ongoing discussion between me and my husband who’s a cat person. Sometimes I think if I had a dog I might not need to have them as inspiration.
What draws you to ceramics?
Fundamentally it’s a material and craft that you are always learning more about. That’s what intrigues me. What I find interesting about the ceramic process is that it has two very distinct phases. The first phase is when you are shaping the clay into whatever you want. Then you have a ton of control. I really enjoy this phase, it’s creative and meditative at the same time. The second phase is the firing. It’s a big contrast to the first phase. There’s so much less control and room for error. You set up the kiln and then you have to wait to see if the piece turned out as you hope it will. The second phase I like less, so that’s where I’m trying to learn more and make the outcome more predictable.
Does traveling between Stockholm and San Francisco influence your art or art-making?
I’ve lived in Stockholm, Berlin and San Francisco the last 4 years and with every move I’ve had to set up a new ceramic studio from scratch because I’ve never been able to bring all my equipment with me. For example, when I moved to Berlin I couldn’t bring my potter’s wheel, which forced me to learn handbuilding techniques to make my ceramics. Every move has given me the opportunity to explore a new technique or tool, because I had to start all over again each time. It puts me out of my comfort zone and forces me to learn something new.
What are you looking forward to these days?
I’m working on my first solo show. It’s in the far future and will be in Stockholm. The theme for the show is dogs, always, and I’m doing a lot of prototyping right now, exploring new colors and textures. The dogs will be in different sizes, forms and colors and I’m very excited!
Via 7×7 and Eleonor Bostrom’s Website.
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