Martin Bourne x Furbelow & Bibelot: The Success of a London Expat in New York

Growing up between the urban bustle of East London and the enshrined tranquility of the Hertfordshire countryside, the art of Martin Bourne expertly entangles a classical essence with the rustic echo of the metropole. In his latest collaboration with Furbelow and Bibelot – renowned crafters of fine ceramics, urns and tablewares based in upstate New York – Bourne transcends this artistic philosophy through the medium of clay, creating his own range of unique ceramics. 

Bourne’s art is defined by juxtaposition. Placing the ornate with the ordinary, the ancient with the contemporary, and the harsh with the soft, Bourne constructs a timeless and deeply personal visual style. Inspired by nature and florals, Bourne’s art and ceramic vessels reinforce this visual code of juxtaposition - using floral patterns and soft pastel tones in conjunction with physical depth and darkness evoking feelings of cool isolation and warm comfort.

Photograph courtesy of Patricia Heal

A creative collaboration with New York based ceramic artist Kay Schuckhart, the pieces in the Furbelow and Bibelot collection are part of an exclusive display represented by the Dobrinka Salzman Gallery in New York City. Each piece is infused with a vivacious originality, maintaining household functionality whilst retaining a certain element of whimsy, blending bold colours, textures and finishes. Creating an array of ceramic vessels, ranging from vases and dishes to candlesticks and sculptures, the collection feels made to be used and enjoyed as well as revered. The final step in the artistic process, it seems, is to be part of people's homes.

A collection of Bourne's Candlesticks. Photograph courtesy of Patricia Heal

This exhibition comes off the launch of Bourne’s online presence, recently developing a website which functions, in a way, as a continuous workbook and studio space for sharing his artistic process. Bourne describes his site as a “living sketchbook,” featuring collaborations with his fellow artists, swatches of texture, and images of flowers from his own garden, informing his focus on nature and florals. “The site is about the process – colour studies, garden cuttings and oddities collected along the way,” describes Bourne, “...It’s about beauty as something that’s forever being reassembled.” Indeed, Bourne shares his creative process on the online platform, sharing initial sketches and inspiration to completed works, providing a glimpse behind the curtain of a master at work.

A collection of sketches and initial plans beside finished products, revealing the creative process behind Bourne's mastery. Photograph courtesy of Patricia Heal

It is his penchant for imperfection which makes Bourne's work so evocative. His ceramic pieces in particular break the conventions of form by featuring asymmetrical design patterns and shapes, conveying a playful effervescence which feels inherently natural. His pieces are reminiscent of ancient worlds, his traditional techniques infusing a feeling of immovable heritage and enduring presence, while his childlike use of pattern and colour breathes an air of modernity and youth to the pieces. 

Martin Bourne’s ceramic vessel collection is currently represented by the Dobrinka Salzman Gallery, 532 W 25th St, New York, NY. His work has been featured in a plethora of notable publications, from Architectural Digest, Elle Decor to The New York Times Style Magazine – his career as an interiors stylist and artist in his own right revered across the Atlantic.

Photograph courtesy of Patricia Heal

Photograph courtesy of Patricia Heal

Martin Bourne’s online portfolio can be accessed at Martin-Bourne.com

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Written by Madeleine Rick, Art Editor

Co-edited by Daria Slikker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief