This handcrafted stoneware jingle bell hangs from a 6-foot hemp rope. Two different sizes are available, the large model measures 4″ x 4.75″ and the small model measures 2′ x 2.75″.
Image courtesy of: GRDN Brooklyn
Design
Symbolism abounds
Michele Quan of MQuan Studios beautifully melds handcrafting and engineering in order to design unique ceramic pieces. Quan’s “ceramics” journey began when she made her initial piece, a bowl, many years ago.
Some time later, Quan took a inspiring wheel-throwing class at a NYC “Y” which proved to be greatly inspiring; and ten years later, she spent Saturdays making pinch pots… the most primitive of vessels… until she had perfected that object. After Quan’s daughter was born, she began taking ceramics classes at Greenwich House Pottery in the West Village. Here, Quan learned to make her signature garlands which are meant to be hung in trees as offerings.
MQuan orbs with Allied Maker’s beautiful hardware are made from hand-painted stoneware. This circular sconce measures 13.5″
Image courtesy of: Allied Maker
Inspired by eastern philosophy since her early twenties, Quan has read books on all of the major eastern religions. The natural progression was to understand Tibetan and Indian art which are both full of symbols. From then on, Quan explored Chinese symbols which she sees as small poems. The more reading she did, the more she learned… and this all lead to inspiration which she fulfilled through her ceramics!
Michele Quan at The Art Barge on Napeague Bay on Long Island’s eastern tip. This art studio was created by Victor D’Amico, the founder of the education department at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, in 1963
Image courtesy of: Bodhi Tree, photographed by: Martha McCully
Originally from Vancouver, Quan moved to NYC in 1984 in order to attend Parsons. She didn’t graduate, but instead, left to create jewelry which she did for 12 years. Nevertheless, Quan was always drawn back to ceramics- the craft of which taught Quan a lot… mainly, patience. The first piece that Quan made, the garlands, were quite large and expensive. They weren’t an easy thing to make accessible to the general public. However once Quan started making bells, people “got it”.
Quan’s first installation in Vancouver consisted of garlands strung together, each painted differently with a designated up side and down side. Quan was very specific on the garlands’ “correct orientation”; nevertheless, they got hung “incorrectly”. A curator told her, “Don’t even think about that. Just let it be, let it live the way it lives.” That was an “Aha Moment” for Quan because from then on, she’s tried to remember that mantra and to just let it live as it is, to just let it be.
“Rings” ceramic sconce.
Image courtesy of: Design Milk
The collaboration between Michele Quan and Allied Maker has three variations: Firefly, Rings, and Black & White. “Firefly” looks as though rays are emitted from the sun (the light source). “Rings” uses the curvature of the ceramic backplate to form a rainbow around the sconce. “Black & White” is filled on one side and left blank on the other.
Set of 2 black and white handmade solid stoneware chain links measuring 9.75″(w) x 7″(d) x 2.75″(h).
Image courtesy of: Decaso
Quan’s work is instantly recognizable and has amassed a large following. The ceramic bells, especially are pieces which will never go out of style. No matter where Quan’s work takes her and what inspirations she finds, the symbolism that’s present through eastern iconography and nature serves as the best muse of all!
