Ahead of Hypebeast Flea New York taking place at Greenpoint Terminal on May 18 and 19, HypeArt chatted with one of the event’s 30+ vendors. Ethan Streicher is the founder and designer behind Streicher Goods, a ceramic company in Brooklyn, New York. His handmade and hand painted works focus on ceramic lighting and homewares.
Ethan worked in graphic design for many years before becoming a full time artist. He was born and raised in Berkeley, California and went to school at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. He makes clocks, vases, trays and various styles of lamps — original creations which are functional as well. His work will be displayed at Hypebeast Flea New York among art, fashion, books, furniture and music vendors, a free to attend event and powered by Depop — RSVP HERE
Hypebeast's Creative Project Manager, Gabriella Koppelman, interviewed Ethan to discuss his creative background, inspirations for homewares and his impending collection at Hypebeast Flea New York. Check out their discussion below.
How did you begin exploring the art of ceramics?
Ethan Streicher: I started ceramics as a hobby. A friend of mine owned a studio at the time. She invited me to, “come play with clay.” After that night I thought, ”this is dope.” I started going four days a week after work. I'd go to the studio until ten and then go home. That became my routine up until Covid. After the pandemic I joined Clay Space here in Greenpoint.
A year ago I went full time with Streicher Goods. I'm still trying a lot of new techniques. It's all part of the process.
Light and time seem to be a few of the themes of focus across your collections. Can you speak to what draws you to those?
When I started ceramics, I mostly made bowls and plates because my skill level was low. Over time I became drawn to crafting ceramic lights that I could use in my own house.
Why functional ceramics rather than standalone sculptures?
I wanted pieces I felt connected to. I like making art that becomes part of one’s everyday life so they have a personal connection with it. Personality is expressed by what is in your house.
How did you go about figuring out the functional hardware?
I messed up a lot in the beginning. Now I sketch an initial concept. Once I figure out what I want to make, I backwards-engineer my pieces, taking into consideration how the clay will shrink once it dries, and how the hardware is going to fit into the piece.
With the graphics, do you sketch them out in a notebook first or use a digital tool?
Sometimes I freehand. For most lamps, I start with a pencil sketch and tactile paper. I figure out dimensions and what I want it to look like. Do I want it to be a graphic pattern? Do I want glaze that has a cool texture on it? Other pieces, like the clock faces, I digitally design on Illustrator to create a template.
"The new collection is focused on how light reflects off surfaces."
Do you usually like to have a theme across a singular collection in terms of glazing, colors, or patterns?
I like it when my collections have a nice, cohesive thread among all the pieces through either texturing or silhouettes. I want it all to jive. For the Spectrum series each piece I sprayed with an air gun to create an ombre of colors inspired by various landscapes and times of day.
What can you tell us a bit about the new collection?
The new collection is focused on how light reflects off surfaces. I used a bronze glaze to create a dark, almost stone-like, mirrored effect. When I display these works I want the room to feel really dark. I've been into the 70s look —super-lush and saturated interiors — not a look you see much anymore.
I'm also building a floor lamp. I’ve never made something that large before so I created each section individually. It consists of five separate pieces because I am limited by what can fit into the kiln. In the end they stack up into one lamp.
Are you making anything specifically for Hypebeast Flea?
Yes! I'm calling them Goombas. Little domed lamp bases. I love them. They look like little ghosts from Pacman. Ritual Glazes based out of Portland sent me some new glazes. I used them to create fun, brightly colored textural exteriors. I will have 8 to 10 of the Goombas available at my booth at Hypebeast Flea! I'm excited to be there and I hope people will like them.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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