NYC-based ceramic artist Sabri Ben-Achour’s work is driven by the belief that humans inherently find beauty in the “orderly disorder” of nature. This understanding has shaped his work, culminating in a growing collection of striking handmade bowls that speak to his interest in blurring the line between art and science.

Crafted using a controlled processes that’s intended to resemble natural formations, Sabri favours working with clay as it comprises three common elements in the earth’s crust — silicon, aluminum, and oxygen. He then uses natural forces to produce crystal growths and other organic additions to his handmade bowls through his own unique method of electroforming.

“I use charged electrodes, one attached to a ceramic base and the other attached to a piece of scrap metal, both submerged in one of several types of chemical bath I developed,” he explains. “The current rips metal atoms from the scrap metal and re-deposits them on the ceramic work, forming crystal formations reminiscent of coral.”

These creations nearly cover the inside of each piece, becoming more detailed as they grow along the sculptures’ fissures and rims. He’s even found a way to manipulate the durability of the crystals and choose where they emerge.

A second process Sabri’s developed covers his handmade bowls in cracks reminiscent of dried earth.

“…I am always searching for other phenomena, other properties, other forces to explore and embody in my work.  I’m not sure why, but I’m driven to explore them, driven to find them. Brought out into the open, they allow us to look into the nature of being that is hidden around and inside us.”

Demonstrating control over his techniques, the spirit of Sabri’s work recreates the natural processes at a smaller scale. You can see more of his stunning ceramic creations on his Instagram.

Source: https://mymodernmet.com/nature-bowls-sabri-ben-achour/