Paean

As the debut series of Sfossils, 'Paean' is designed by Mike Seymour, who attends to handcrafting each piece. His collection borrows from elements of the natural world—texture, colour and form are interpreted through the use of crater, foam, craquelle and reticulated glazes. The pendant lights pose as a floristic study of biotic life found on the verdant forest floor or the distinctive, rich underwater terrain off the shores of remote coastal islands in the Canadian West.

Somewhere between archaeological relic and future artifact, the new handcrafted ceramic lighting series by Sfossils is expressive in material, showing highly textural glazed surfaces on linear sculptural pendants. Its inspiration draws from the sudden renaissance of domestic ceramic craft and emphasizes the shared and cooperative nature in ceramic culture as a way of making. Each light shade is one of many finishes, but with infinite variations in application and effect when paired in compositional strategy.

Sfossils is an experimental studio investigating the social, historical and cultural contexts of craft through lighting, furniture and other objects of utility. Through the development of these artifacts, the process of making and the story of their use become intertwined.

Each series by the studio is a research-based inquiry into a craft movement, material or object typology. Rigorous experimentation is in continuous practice to understand the poetry and spirit of making objects that bring delight to the everyday experience.

Founded and helmed under the creative direction of artist Mike Seymour, Sfossils is based in Vancouver, Canada.