Ina Hattebier

Andere-Urnen

Paper artist

©Therese Walther

The delicate consolation of paper

Ina designs bespoke urns with mourners who have lost a loved one
Her artistry reflects loss and renewal through the fragility of paper
She is a trained papermaker as well as being a paper artist

Ina Hattebier studied design and fine arts and has been an independent artist since 1990. She has worked out of studios in several artist collectives in Hamburg. Since 2016, Ina has run her own studio at the Künstlerhaus Dosenfabrik. Her journey with paper began through running a children's workshop where she experimented with papermaking, a process that became central to her artistic practice. She works with papers made by Italian and Nepalese papermakers and produces her own plant-based papers to expand her repertoire. In 2011, Ina trained as a grief counsellor to explore mourning and funeral rituals. While initially unsure how to combine this with her art, she later discovered a profound connection between the impermanence of paper and the rituals of grief and burial.

Interview

©Therese Walther

©Therese Walther

How would you define what you do?: I design bespoke urns for memorial ceremonies, to honour a lived life and offer comfort. True solace comes from people engaging with the urn, integrating it into their ritual. My work helps ease this process. My first urn, made for a friend’s father, showed me how meaningful this can be.
What draws you to paper as a medium?: Paper, with its fragility and impermanence, holds a special aura for me. Its connection to plants and to people who garden or surround themselves with flowers feels deeply meaningful. Tearing paper into pieces and rebuilding it mirrors grief: life shatters after loss, and the bereaved must slowly piece it back together.
How do you connect with clients?: As both a designer and artist, I bring my own ideas to life while collaborating with others. I shape each handmade urn with empathy and creativity. I am also comfortable speaking with those going through difficult times, allowing me to create urns with families, incorporating their materials and ideas into the design.
What is your biggest economic challenge?: Making a living from one-of-a-kind pieces is tough, especially if you want to keep prices accessible. It requires humility and often relies on funding. Few artists can secure a pension, leaving the profession in a precarious state. This not only limits opportunities but also impacts the perception of the field as a whole.

Ina Hattebier is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1990