The Ceramicist That Mixes Organic Forms and Technique Together

The designs of Heidi Jalkh stand out for their complex morphologies and geometric explorations, which isn’t so surprising when you consider the designer has conducted research on nature and the growth of organisms for her master’s thesis.

"I like finding and mixing ways to use materials or techniques in different contexts of use and with this challenging the production methods I have at my reach," says the Colombian-born, Buenos Aires–based designer, whose process is guided by exploration, intuition, and perseverance.

Her ideas begin in the world of imagination and come to reality as she defines materials, details, proportions, context, and morphological attributes. "My favorite stage is when I cross the threshold of playing around with the idea to finding and defining which way I am going to go with," she says.

When talking about inspiration Jalkh likes to cite Hella Jongerius and Studio Drift alongside her more organic influences. "Jongerius inspires me—her way of manifesting her designs through a mix of industrial objects with craftsmanship accents is fascinating for me," Jalkh says. "I find interesting not only her products but also the unconventional and personal approach she has for showing the whole process."

But Jalkh’s own work is as much about what is absent as what she chooses to present. Negative space is as important as what remains in collections like Sección, a series of simple containers with edges seemingly lopped off, and HN | MADE, a series of bowls with wood and acrylic chips inserted into gaps in the ceramic. Handcrafted by local artisans, each piece features a sliver that breaks the object’s symmetry and creates visual tension with a colored area that highlights what is not longer there.