lenneke wispelwey ceramics — Lizzie for SMUG

0213_StudioLennekeWispelweij_byMashaBakker-7776s

New SMUG designer Lenneke Wispelwey founded her studio in 2008 in Arnhem. Her porcelain, pastel-coloured work is recognisable due to its geometrically patterned appearence. Wispelwey is also known for the use of different shades of one colour and for playing with the contrast between biscuit and glazed porcelain. Lenneke finds that a basic, simple approach to techniques and materials and a low-tech way of designing is vital to communicating her vision and her way of working. She prefers creating families of products because, as an only child, she always wished for a bigger family. Wispelwey feels her work should make people smile. We at SMUG are feeling very smiley about it and are proud to be representing Lenneke exclusively in London. Below is a short interview with Lenneke focussing on her new collection which is available now at SMUG. Your ceramics are well known for having such beautiful tones of one colour. If you had to choose one tone/colour to best represent you what would it be and why?I think that would be a deep petrol tone. For me a colour with characterand a story. Like a chameleon, very versatile, in every light anothercolour. You have a lot of complex geometric shapes in your designs but talk about a low tech approach to designing. What is your process in creating these beautiful and complex looking ceramics?As a child I was fascinated by the overdecorated glassware in mygrandmothers cupboard, so this was my inspiration when i started thiscollection. I started collecting this glassware from fleemarkets andtriftshops and created a glass library. I combine parts of the glassware(that I cast) with new shaped forms. Old and new coming together. Have you always worked with porcelain? What is it that you like about it?What I love the most is the fact that you start out with water and powder and that a beautiful high quality product comes out of the kiln at the endof the process. Do you feel your work represents your personality?Hmmm, good question. I think it does. My work arises from my crazycollections, inspiration and chimeras. Also the colours are all mixed byhand so sometimes reflect my mood at that moment during mixing.All the facets that seem very complex are actually not that hard whenyou take the time to find out more about it. If you had to choose one shape from your collection at SMUG what would it be? Hmmm I think that would be the little star vase. Beautiful as an objectbut even more interesting when you put a lovely flower in there. A foundflower during a lovely walk in the park or just one from your garden. Lenneke's collection at SMUG has recently been featured in Elle Decoration and continues to be as popular with the press as it is with SMUG's team and our regular customers. To see the Elle Decoration feature take a look at our news page here.