Ömer Öner’s artistic practice as a ceramicist revolves around the idea of repurposing found objects by reimagining and assembling them into highly crafted ceramic forms that tell a story of transformation and regeneration. Ömer employs the techniques of mould-making and slip casting 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 Ömer; they are wellsprings of opportunity and inspiration.
He preserves the essence of these found objects first in plaster moulds and then transmutes them into porcelain or parian replicas through the slip casting. In this way, he conserves their distinctive forms while altering their materiality by casting them into ceramic. The resulting artworks bear the distinct characteristics of their origins, yet their function is transformed, giving them new life, meaning and material quality. His work is a testament to the fact that discarded items, often overlooked as trash, hold creative potential and inspiration.
Ömer Öner 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.
