Inspired by nature
At The Ode To we are always curious to learn more about creativity and artistry, so we asked French artist Anja Marschal to tell us a little bit about her life, her art and her sources of inspiration.
Anja Marschal
Can you tell us about your background and how you came to be an artist
– I always knew that I wanted to work with my hands and do something creative. But I wasn’t sure if it would be art, cooking or gardening. I studied product design at the University of Arts in Berlin, but it quickly became obvious to me that I wouldn’t be able to work in industrial productions. Ceramics allowed me to move my focus from utility to sculptural work, and to find a balance between those two worlds.
How would you describe your art and aesthetics in three words?
– Dreamlike, intuitive, handmade.
What inspired you to create the artworks you have made for The Ode To?
– My surroundings and the material that I work with. I live in the French countryside, and I spend my free time gardening and collecting wild plants. Observing nature is a constant inspiration and a way for me to find balance in both work and life. I’m also inspired by the clay itself and how it behaves when it meets my hands. The candleholders, or vases, are called Mycelium, because they are inspired by forest life and the mini vases are called Minis.
Can you tell us about an artist that you admire?
– I feel there’s something familiar in the pieces that Lynda Draper creates. Her sculptures are exciting, but they also make me calm.
What we love about Anja Marschal:
We adore how Anja Marschal brings together organic shapes inspired by nature with a perfectly imperfect expression, adding quirkiness to her dreamlike pieces.
