Collaborative creativity

At The Ode To we are always curious to learn more about creativity and artistry, so we asked Claudia Cauville to tell us a little bit about her life, her art and her sources of inspiration.

What do you call your series of artworks?

– "Melted cross.” It’s a series of sculptural forms inspired by the cross shape.

What technique have you used?

– I’ve used slab to create the objects for this series. Every piece has several layers of glazes that I mix.

What inspired you to create the artworks you have made for The Ode To?

– I’ve always been inspired by symmetrical shapes found in architecture. Naturally, I’m intrigued by the cross shape because it has a very graphic form. I think it's an interesting form to play with, beyond its meaning. Inspired by places I’ve visited during my holidays, I wanted to create a joyful series, using light colours.

What other artists do you admire?

– I admire tons of artists. I visit exhibitions on a weekly basis, so it’s difficult to name just a few. But lately, I’ve been very inspired by the colour palette of French painter Garouste and photographer Paul Rousteau. His photos are always very playful and graphic. There’s something poetic about his expression and what he sees through the lens. I try to capture that through my choice of colour too. I’m also a big fan of the Bauhaus’s designers, and a huge fan of Charlotte Perriand.

Can you tell us about your background and how you came to be an artist?

– Ceramic was not an obvious choice for me. I wanted to become a designer. I applied for the design section and got ceramic design but entering Central Saint Martins was like a dream come true. During my studies I loved that we could master every stage of making an object. I developed a particular interest in glaze making. Early on in my work I started connecting design and craftsmanship, which led me to pursue a masters in luxury and craftsmanship at Lausanne University of Art and Design in Switzerland. I wanted to apply my knowledge beyond ceramics, so back in Paris I worked for India Madhavi and Hermes until I opened my own atelier, La Mine, in 2019. I’d missed the feeling of making – I couldn’t stand sitting in front of a computer all day. La Mine is a pluridisciplinary ceramic studio hosting residential artists, workshops, and exhibitions. Now I can call myself a ceramic artist, but it took some time before feeling like one. Today I’m happy to be growing as an artist on the international scene.

How would you describe your art and aesthetics in three words?

– Colourful, charismatic, singular.


What we love about Claudia Cauville:

With a collaborative approach to creativity, we love how Claudia Cauville makes contemporary ceramics that combine great craftsmanship and interesting composition of shapes.