Charlotte Gigan & Martin Duchêne

The industrial craft of ceramics

• Charlotte and Martin walk a line between art and design
• They combine artisanal and industrial methods
• Pottery extrusion is their main technique

Charlotte Gigan and Martin Duchêne founded Studio BISKT in 2018 after they both graduated at the Brussels arts school La Cambre – Charlotte in ceramics and Martin in industrial design. With Studio BISKT, they combine their strengths to create unique products. “We like to define what we do as ‘industrial craft’: our objects are made by hand, but on the basis of industrial techniques,” they explain. “We especially focus on one technique in particular, pottery extrusion.” Pottery extrusion is an industrial process in which a ceramic paste is pressed through a mould of different shapes. Charlotte and Martin use different materials, such as stoneware, porcelain and pottery. The results of their way of working are creations such as vases and benches that are on the border between art and design.

Interview

©Lydie Laville

©Lydie Laville

Where do you find inspiration for your objects?

Mainly in the urban environment, public spaces and architectural structures. We are for example inspired by the form of gears and bricks. We also let ourselves be guided by our tools and machines.

What is your advice to a young person eager to work as you do?

To look for someone that you can set up a valuable partnership with. It is always easier to take the necessary steps in building a business when you can work as a team. You also have to believe strongly in your project and persevere.

In what way is your craft linked to the Belgian territory?

We try to work as much as we can with local materials, so with clay from Belgium. It is important to think carefully about the impact you have on the environment when working with materials.

What is a well made product, according to you?

A well made product is one that is well thought out.

Charlotte Gigan & Martin Duchêne are expert artisans: they began their career in 2015

Works

©Studio BISKT

©Studio BISKT

©AlexandraColmenaresAvenueduroi

©AlexandraColmenaresAvenueduroi

©Studio BISKT

Where