Omer Oner is a Turkish artist, BA and MA Medieval History graduate. Having worked as a lecturer and researcher in Turkey, he studied in Central Saint Martins BA Ceramic Design course in London. His creative journey has been shaped by his educational background and a fascination with the creative power of found objects   

Omer’s artistic practice revolves around the idea of repurposing found objects by regenerating and assembling them into highly crafted ceramic forms. Omer employs the techniques of mould-making and slip-casting to replicate and multiply the original objects. These practices enable him to replicate and multiply the diverse array of discarded materials. Door handles, bed knobs, scrap wood, plastic, glass, and fragments of metal furniture are not mere cast-offs to Omer; they are wellsprings of opportunity and inspiration.  

He preserves the essence of these found objects first in plaster moulds and then transmutes them into clay replicas through slip casting. In this way, he conserves their distinctive forms while altering their materiality, casting them into ceramics. The resulting artworks bear the distinct characteristics of their origins, yet their function is transformed, giving them new life and meaning.  

His work is a testament that discarded items, often overlooked as trash, hold creative potential and inspiration.  

Education

  • BA Ceramic Design, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, London, 2016 – 2021
  • Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, City Lit College, London, 2015-2016
  • MA Medieval History, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale -Turkey, 2002-2005
  • BA History, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale -Turkey, 1997-2001.

Experiences

  • Studio Technician & Tutor, Studio Pottery London, Victoria, London, SW1W 9NF
    September 2019 – June 2024. Upkeeping the studio, recycling / wedging, teaching throwing and hand-building pottery, glaze mixing, reception.
  • Studio Technician, Muni Pottery, Battersea, London, SW11 4XW, January 2022 – Present, Upkeeping the studio, glaze mixing, reclaiming clay
  • Studio Assistant, Nick Cave Ceramics, Vanguard Court, London, SE5 8QT, Various dates, Slipcasting.
  • Studio Assistant, Akiko Hirai Studio, London, N16 7SX
    September 2019- December 2019. Wrapping, boxing the products, writing invoices/delivery notes, archiving, upkeeping studio, tableware making.
  • Fumio Ito, Hachinoko Studio, 57 Sasabatake, Seishidou, Sukagawa, Japan
    July 2019 – August 2019. Upkeeping studio, wedging, slip making, clay mixing, kick-wheel throwing,
  • Studio Assistant, Robert Cooper Ceramic, Studio 2d/e Vanguard Court, London
    Various dates. Upkeeping studio.
  • Studio Assistant, Erdogan Gulec, Beikaya Studio, Avanos, Turkey
    January 2018. Throwing and hand-built traditional pot and vessel making, glazing, organizing the studio.
  • Researcher and Lecturer, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Turkey
    October 2002-July 2006. History, Byzantine Empire and Crusade History Lecturer, Department Administrator.

Exhibitions

  • 13th International Ceramic Exhibition Mino, 18 October – 17 November 2024, Tajimi, Japan
  • The Hari Art Prize Exhibition 2024, 4 September 2024 -7 March 2025, Chelsea, London
  • 19th International Ceramics Competition of the City of Carouge, 14 September – 1 December 2024, Switzerland
  • Wells Art Contemporary, 3-31 August 2024, Wells
  • Ceramic Art London, 19-21 April 2024, Kensington Olympia West
  • (Un)filtered, House of Tilly, Miami Art Week, 5 – 10 December 2023, Standard Spa, Miami Beach
  • London Potters Annual Makers Exhibition, 1 – 11 November 2023, Morley Galery, London
  • House of Pots 2023, 29 September – 07 October, Chelsea, London
  • Voice of Heart Centered Design: (Un)filtered, London Design Festival,18-24 September 2023, Tom Dixon Studios, London
  • New Ashgate Gallery, Rising Stars 2023, 10 March – 22 April 2023, Farnham
  • London Potters Showcase, Barbican Library, 03-25 February 2023, Barbican, London
  • London Potters Annual Makers Exhibition, 03-07 November 2022, Brixton, London
  • Unmute, 1-4 July, Oxotowers, Barge House, London
  • Franz Rising Star Online Grad Exhibition July 2021, https://franzproject.com/franz/en/news/grad2021-inter1
  • RHS Urban Garden Show, Lawrence Hall– July 2017 A group exhibition of CSM Ceramic Design students’ selected plant pots from Potted Exhibition. London
  • Pangolin Gallery, London – May 2017. Window display of selected works by CSM Ceramic Design, London
  • Potted, RHS Lindley Library – March 2017. Selected work by CSM Ceramic Design students. London

Awards

  • Honourable Mention, 13th International Ceramic Exhibition Mino, 18 October – 17 November 2024
  • London Potters Annual Makers Exhibition Judge’s Commendations 1 – 11 November 2023
  • London Potters Annual Makers Exhibition Judge’s Commendations 3 – 7 November 2022
  • 2020/2021 Franz Rising Star Project, Franz Rising Star Scholarship. (FRSS), August 2021 
  • London Potters Annual Makers Award, Second Runner, October 2021  
  • Central Saint Martins Scholarship Awards, William Atkinson Scholarship, July 2019 

Photography by Yap Yen, https://yapyen.com/ IG @helloepiphany