As a potter creating functional ware and decorative art for the past 35 years, Michele Koch’s work is a reflection of her connection to the village she grew up in, Kommetjie, and its beautiful natural surroundings.

Her creative process involves using sea grass, rustic beach wood, local indigenous plants, and other organic matter such as horse hair. There is always a delicate balance in her work between control and letting go.

She shapes and refines her pieces using a combination of hand-building and wheel-throwing before bisque-firing them in preparation for glazing.

When creating vessels with horse hair as an added detail, each item turns out unique as the flames, sawdust and hair interact unpredictably both inside and outside the pots.

To Michele, pottery is not just about creating beautiful objects but also about cultivating an appreciation for each item. Through her practice, she hopes to inspire others to appreciate their natural environment and to find beauty in life’s imperfections.

@michele_koch_ceramics | @loveandlaceceramics