POP App: A Fresh Approach to Traditional Boleslawiec Pottery

A Collection of Wallplates and Vases by Natalia Suwalski

Pottery from Boleslawiec is a traditional local craftsmanship from the region of Lower-Silesia. It is worldwide known and recognizable for its stamp technique with the use of Cobalt blue and the form of a dot such as a ring as the basic signature. Culturally, this region has German heritage. It was first produced while this region was German and has reached mass production during the times it is Polish; meaning the Boleslawiec ceramic is a European craft par excellence.

In contrast to the stamping work from Boleslawiec, the size of stamps used in the POP App collection was bigger, leaving a lot of free space on the surface. The tableware was primed with a white pigment, leaving marks that underline the unique character of handmade work. Stamping the objects was also used in this work, but in a rather off the grid, free arrangement. This leads to a more expressive technique of quick paint splash that allows a new way of creating handmade patterns in the workshops before being glazed.

The POP App collection consists of wallplates with a diameter of 280mm and vases with dimensions of width 150mm x depth 150mm x height 400mm. Each object showcases a unique design, making them suitable for individual use or as a cohesive set.

During the design process, Natalia Suwalski experimented with pigments and stamps to develop new ideas. From the initial prototypes, the client selected one concept, which was then further refined. A total of 18 prototypes were produced, with approximately 10 designs applied to the pottery from prepared drawings and approximately 8 objects developed during the making process. Some prototypes were hand-drawn by painters from the workshop, adding a personal touch to the collection. A production manual was prepared to ensure consistency and enable workers to reproduce the patterns.

The POP App collection was designed between late summer 2018 and the realization of the prototypes at the end of 2018. Production began in early 2019 at the Manufaktura w Boleslawcu factory. The collection combines the heritage of Boleslawiec pottery with a contemporary twist, incorporating symbols from pop culture and the internet.

This unique approach to traditional pottery has garnered recognition, with the POP App collection being awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category in 2019. This prestigious award is bestowed upon outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that authenticate experience and resourcefulness. Natalia Suwalski's collection exhibits strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.