5 minutes with

BEN ORKIN, Ceramicist

Who are you? My name is Ben Orkin. I make ceramic vessels under the name NEBNIKRO (my name backwards). I’m studying fine arts.

Why ceramics? My mom is a ceramicist and I have been watching her work for as long as I can remember. I’ve picked up a lot of skills from her and am so grateful for this.

What inspires you? I am interested in the human form and the connections humans have with one another. When I began making my vessels I was inspired by modernist architecture but slowly realised that what I was seeing was the human form in these shapes and converting what I saw into organic ceramic vessels. Now I tend to look at architecture as well as the human form for inspiration.

What do you love most about your work?

I love seeing and experiencing things in the world and then being able to translate these things into an artwork.

Do you collect anything and, if so, why? I collect many different things: ceramic bowls, pieces of cloth, cookbooks, rocks, etc. Also anything that has an emotional memory for me to hold onto.

The last décor object you bought? A beautiful brick-red rotary tray from Vitra.

Which designer or artist inspires you, and why? Most of my friends are creatives and they are inspiring. Speaking to them about their work inspires me. I love to look at people who are doing original things in whichever field they work in. I rarely look at people who work with the same ceramic medium as me for inspiration — apart from my mom, of course. I’d rather look at people who are doing what they love.

What are you listening to at the moment? Nineties electronic music.

What’s the most inspiring space you’ve walked into recently, or ever? In Barcelona, I visited Gaudi’s Casa Batlló — a mind-blowing experience. Firstly, the space is incredibly beautiful, but beyond that every aspect of the building has been considered and designed so perfectly. Gaudi is a genius and a master of all materials.

Were you creative as a child? I’ve always been creative and am lucky that my family has encouraged me to do what I love.

Instagram @nebnikro, nebnikro@gmail.com