Each person represents a unique story, a tapestry of lived experiences waiting to be shared. I envision the table as a canvas for discovery, a space for learning and for celebrating the rich diversity of humanity. My intention is to radically challenge place settings by incorporating new ways of experiencing tableware.

I created bowls using a 3D ceramic printer, a device that allows for the production of precisely formed ring patterns. I chose to use this shape because it elegantly echoes the circular design of traditional huts found across Africa. The circular shape of the huts symbolizes both unity and infinity, embodying the idea of interconnectedness and of existence without a distinct beginning or end. This idea reflects the fact that as humans, we are all inherently linked, regardless of our origins or backgrounds. I also used the ceramic printer to create cups.

Next I created vessels in the shape of napkins by wrapping cotton fabric over polystyrene balls of different sizes, pinning the fabric, and then painting it with slip. I left the fabric pieces to dry, then fired them in a cone 6 kiln. My intention was to have the vessels resemble sculptures and to raise questions about what might be concealed beneath them.

The cups and bowls are placed beneath the napkin-like vessels, which are lifted to reveal these objects. I created the cups and bowls in various sizes, showcasing the versatility of modern manufacturing methods. The vessels, in contrast, were made by hand. The various dishes represent the fusion of ancient and modern media and techniques: clay, a material steeped in millennia-old tradition, and 3D printing, a cutting-edge innovation facilitating rapid prototyping. The result was a tableware set that bore the mark of traditional craftsmanship and also embodied the possibilities afforded by modern technology.

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