Kate Sutton approached us with a unique challenge: to design a range of sculptures that would serve as creative displays for UBYKATE's exquisite jewellery. The sculptures, carefully crafted for The House of U, were envisioned to complement and enhance the beauty of the jewellery without overshadowing their allure. To achieve this delicate balance, a monochromatic palette of black and white was chosen, ensuring the focus remained on the intricate details of the jewellery pieces.
The sculptures were brought to life through a fascinating process known as Raku firing. In this technique, the pieces underwent a dramatic transformation, heated to 1000°C in a kiln and then swiftly removed while still hot. The sudden temperature change causes the glaze to crack.
Subsequently, the pieces were placed in a bin filled with newspaper and sawdust. As the smoke entered through the cracks, it painted the clay surface in a mesmerizing black hue. To add a final touch, burnt wood was skillfully applied, giving the sculptures a unique and distinctive finish.
These sculptures, with their captivating blend of black and white and the intricate Raku firing technique, not only achieved the desired effect for jewellery display but also became works of art in their own right. The resulting visual impact led to a further commission – a testament to the success of this collaboration.