Photo: Courtesy of Laurie Sartani & Zohar Jolles
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
Zohar and I are partners, creating decorated, hand painted, Judaic and functional ceramics. I am the potter, creating the surfaces for Zohar’s decorations. We both live and work in Moshav Merhavia, in the North of Israel. We are surrounded by agriculture, fields and mountains. Zohar grew up in the Moshav, I joined after making Aliya to Israel from the US. Zohar is a graduate of The Shenkar Textile Design College and I graduated from the Bezelal School of Art and Design.
We started our partnership years ago when we were young mothers, our children grew up together and we now have grandchildren to look after.
We both are very diverse in the materials we use and are always looking for new ideas, materials, textures, surfaces, and colors.
In the past Zohar sand blasted her designs on glass and stones, but now mostly uses a paintbrush to create her decorations. She is great in finding “junk” and turning it into a piece of art whether it be a piece of metal that she hammers a design into, or an old piece of wood which will soon find a new texture to it.
Apart from our work together I make functional pottery. I am always experimenting with new clays and glazes. I like to recycle all of my scrapes to make colorful clay. I’ve studied fashion design and it’s always been a passion. At the moment I am studying Japanese ink drawing and I am experimenting with this on clay slabs.
What inspired you to become an artist?
Zohar: As a child I was very curious and I knew then that creating was my calling.
Laurie: In high school I took a course in Pottery and since that first touch I’ve been in love.
What is your specialty?
Our specialty is custom, personalized, unique, one of-a-kind items. A Kiddush Cup for a wedding or bar mitzvah with dates and names inscribed. Seder plates for Passover or given as a wedding gift. We work with our customers to find the right quote or thank you to be written on the ceramics. Zohar also creates Amulets from clay. She prefers to call them “Longings”. Each longing is a unique handwritten item, made with a lot of intention, inspiration and care. She likes to think of the magic feeling these tiny written pieces bring, in the pocket or bag, and the joy of the archeologists when they will find these “Longings” in another 1500 years from now.
How and where do you work?
We both have studios in our homes. I work on the potter’s wheel and also hand-build. We meet often to discuss our work. I build the “stages” for Zohar’s decorations, texts and poems. Zohar hand paints each piece with under-glazes, experimenting with new colors and motifs.
What is the most indispensable item in your home studios?
Zohar: A window, and the view from it, capturing the fields and the Gilboa Mountain.
Laurie: The rhythm of the potter’s wheel. The peace and quiet needed while working.
Where do you take your inspiration? Are you pursuing any themes?
Our work is inspired by nature, agriculture, the seasons of the year and the Judaic culture and holidays that surround us.
Zohar participates in an ongoing Talmud study group. Her texts are inspired by the Hebrew Language, biblical verses, stories and poetry.
A year ago we participated in an exhibit in the Jezreel Valley Community which is a mixture of many Kibbutzim and Moshavim. We are a big agricultural community. Zohar and I chose watermelons as our theme. I created watermelons – whole, slices, bowls. Zohar decorated them with color, texts and songs.
What projects are you currently working on?
Shavuot was our last holiday. I made bowls and trays in different shapes and sizes. Zohar decorated them in wild flowers, wheat and sunflowers.
Our next project will be apple and honey plates for Rosh Hashanah.
What are your favorite items in your current collection?
I create for Zohar series of bowls, sets of two or four. Her decorations and texts will make the connection between the bowls.
At the moment a set of shallow bowls with a beautiful artichoke design, and text, bind them together as a set.
How do you know when a piece is finished?
There is always that temptation to continue. I have learned that the less I handle the clay the better the final results. There is that voice in my head that talks to me and says ENOUGH. I’m sure it is the same for Zohar.
What was the first artwork you ever sold?
Our collaboration goes back many years. After our first full collection at a local exhibit, we realized that we had something special. We sold the whole collection and new orders were placed.
Which project have you enjoyed working on the most so far?
Zohar was asked to participate in an exhibit “Piyyut, Emotion and Thought” at “Beit Avi Chai”, Jerusalem. “Piyyut” in Hebrew is translated as liturgical Poetry. We met together to discuss how to proceed. The theme that we chose was a prayer for rain. I created a series of bowls with a small handle on the rim. Zohar filled them with prayers for rain in Hebrew. The bowls were placed on a beautiful piece of polished wood. It was possible to spin them so that the bowls and handles touched, clinging, making the sound of rain drops.
What do you want to achieve with your work and what are your wishes for the future?
It brings us joy to see our work in use. We are always looking for new ideas and themes. Both Zohar and I are very practical, optimistic and happy artists. We look forward to many more years of collaboration.
Where can we find your work?
You can see our work on facebook: Zohar Jolles.
Instagram: zoharjolles, lauriesartani
Our work is sold on “Etsy” www.lauriesartani.com
Photos: Courtesy of Laurie Sartani & Zohar Jolles
