1. Where were you born and where are you from ?

Alicja: Originating from Poland, my journey has taken me across 8 countries throughout my life. This  experience has shaped me into feeling more like a citizen of the Earth 

Onur: I was born in Izmir, Turkey. Throughout my life, I have moved a lot and lived in Canada &  Japan. I am currently living in Netherlands. 

2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?

A: Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by art, with family members on both sides rooted in the artistic world. My earliest memory dates back to summer days spent at my grandfather’s. As a  child, I used to wake up quite early, at a time when the house still slumbered in silence. I would quietly make my way through the house, past the workshop, and into the garden. There, in a small,  open-air space, my grandfather would already be engrossed in sculpting. I cherished those moments, watching him work with genuine joy and passion. 

O: My journey into the realm of art began when I encountered Alicja. As I roamed the globe in search of my ikigai, or life’s purpose, it was through Alicja’s introduction to modern art that I  discovered a profound affinity for the vast potential of creative expression. This revelation instantly captivated me, forging a deep and enduring connection with the world of art.

3. Have you always worked in the art/design field ?

A: From my early years, art has always held a special place in my life, even as I pursued a deep interest in sports and harbored aspirations of becoming a basketball player. In school, I stood out,  even as one of the younger students, by taking the lead in projects like the yearbook and bulletin boards. My teenage years were a burst of creative energy, filled with designing clothes, crafting my first lamp and furniture pieces, indulging in poetry, drawing, and frequently rearranging furniture at home.  As I embarked on my university journey, interior design was my initial choice. However, my  interests took a swift turn towards product design in my first year, leading me to enroll in a design  course in my second year to further explore this newfound passion. 

O: Originating from a foundation in business and marketing, with experience in both marketing and teaching, I reached a point where the constraints on personal expression within these fields became stifling. This realization propelled me toward a more instinctual pursuit in the digital realm, where I  embraced the roles of freelance graphic and web designer. Despite this digital foray, there lingered within me an unfulfilled yearning to create tangibly with my hands. It was only when we began to explore sculptural design within our home that I found a profound sense of fulfilment, completing my journey from the structured world of business to the liberating realm of artistic expression.

4. What led you to the design creation ?

A: I have spent several years working in Poland, Japan, Turkey and the Netherlands as an Interior  Designer. However, ever since my university days, I harbored a dream and a certainty that one day I  would run my own design studio. During my university years, I flirted with the idea of delving into sculpture, particularly drawn to conceptual art. Yet, it wasn’t until the end of 2019 that I truly embraced sculpting. That year was particularly challenging for me, as I grappled with a prolonged and intense episode of depression. In  this tough phase, sculpting emerged as a form of meditation, bringing tranquility and aiding me in overcoming that dark period in my life. It was then that the idea struck me to merge my design expertise with sculpture. As an interior designer, I realized there was a gap in the availability of sculptural pieces. Looking back, I do have some regrets about not venturing into sculpting sooner,  particularly because my grandfather, a skilled sculptor, was no longer around to guide me.  Alongside my partner Onur, I navigated a path of trial and error, gradually mastering the intricacies of sculpting on our own. 

O: From the early years of my childhood, there existed a deep-seated longing to express myself in a manner unmarred by external influences. This desire intertwined with a fascination to connect with  the entirety of humanity across ages, through a primal practice that has endured the relentless passage of time. The concept of reaching out to the earliest humans through the medium of art held a mesmerizing attraction for me. This enchantment with the primal, tactile act of creation using one’s hands gradually turned into a profound love, guiding me towards embracing the art of sculpting.

5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?

A & O: Our creative process is quite chaotic, as are our influences. Our minds are always alert,  constantly searching for ideas. It’s hard to switch off our minds. We find inspiration everywhere – in nature, people, philosophical thoughts, historical events, and architectural marvels, but also in the random patterns or shadows on walls and pavements. Whenever an idea hits us, we plunge into research, exploring deeper meanings in everything. This usually leads us into an extensive journey of making logical connections between a wide range of topics, weaving a complex network of ideas. Once we have gathered and organized our thoughts, we begin sketching and creating small  models from clay.  Working together is a key part of our process. We discuss everything and really enjoy brainstorming together. We first connected in Japan over a design idea, running around Tokyo, planning, and designing some concept. Even though that initial idea didn’t last, it led to evenings filled with discussions about various ideas, concepts, and business ventures. We fell for each other’s minds and have been partners in life and work ever since.

6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?

A & O: No two days at our studio are the same. As a duo, we adapt to the varying rhythm of our workdays, accompanied by our cat who has a knack for scratching and ‘sculpting’ some of our  pieces. We currently handmade all our creations. When we’re dealing with a surge in orders, I  shift into a highly organised mode. We tackle each project methodically, completing one order before moving on to the next.  During quieter periods, with fewer orders, I, Alicja, often find myself waking up very early, around  4-5 in the morning. These early hours are perfect for researching or developing new ideas. Later,  when Onur arrives at the studio, we engage in brainstorming sessions, after which he takes the lead.  This balance allows us to continually evolve and create, regardless of the pace.

7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?

A & O: Initially, we chose to work with gypsum out of impulse, and we instantly fell in love with it.  Our journey into clay began much later, yet we developed a deep affection for it as well. Both these materials offer the freedom to bring any vision to life. Our primary goal has been to create pieces that would pose a challenge for machines to replicate, emphasizing the importance and uniqueness of human craftsmanship.

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

A & O: In our creations, we blend various materials such as alabaster plaster, clay, selenite, and soap stone, each chosen for its unique contribution to our sculptural designs. Our creative process  begins with detailed sketches on paper, evolving into clay prototypes before moving to full-sized sculptures. We use pneumatic & power tools for carving and shaping. A signature aspect of our style  is the careful layering of alabaster plaster, applied in subtly varied tones using small spatulas, crafting a distinctive finish, similar to a painting. For our ceramic pieces, we use a technique of  light scratching on surfaces, adding depth and altering perception. Throughout the creation process,  we make sure to balance functionality with aesthetic appeal, ensuring that our pieces are not only  visually striking but also practically functional. It’s paramount for us to craft these pieces  personally, without external assistance, to make sure that each creation is imbued with our vision  and personal touch, reflecting a deep connection between us and the created piece.

9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?

A: To find yourself in design or art, look it beyond.  

O: Whatever you make is beautiful, because it is part of you.

10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?

A&O: We are in the process of creating our own movement.

11. What designers and artists have influenced you ?

A: My creative influences are primarily drawn from the art world rather than design, with particular inspiration from modern artists such as Isamu Noguchi, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, and Hans Arp.

12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

A: Max Lamb 

O: J McDonald

13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?

A: Ever since my university days, Don Norman has been one of the design thinkers whose philosophy of emotional design has significantly inspired my work. 

O: I am inspired by the works of Henry Moore and Isamu Noguchi.

14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?

A: Connection 

O: Intimacy

15. Is there anything you’d like to add to the interview?

A: Make your life and art valuable. 

O: To all new artists: Be curious and get dirty.

Proust Questionnaire with very short answers (one or a few words) :
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust. Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde, Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)