Australian Shell

With Australian students from RMIT Antonio Aricò developed a ceramic collection using basic cultural stereotypes to create a surreal and dreamy imaginary.

Antonio Aricò’s inspiration of the Shell Collection came last summer in Calabria while he was swimming in the Ionic Sea.

In the past, different designers and ceramic companies have approached the link between shells and ceramic, such as the Nautilus collection developed in 1780s by Wedgwood.

“I wanted this collection to be a funny and graceful way to describe Australian hidden beauties often connected to the idyllic idea of sea, lightness and exotic feelings. I wanted to use basic cultural stereotypes and create a surreal and dreamy imaginary around them”. Antonio Aricò explains.

“Transforming organic and natural shapes into daily objects is an approach very much used in the past and is very characteristic of a European art and craft movement. The porcelain of the white collection is White Southern Ice, an Australian made porcelain, the one of the grey collection is WSS porcelain also from Australia. However, all have this main characteristic: this ‘lustre’ pearlescent finishing typical of mother pearl and shells”.

Slightly baroque, this interpretation brings a moody exploration on organic shapes and lustred finishes, with a strong connotation to something natural and luxurious at the same time.