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Oxum NYC
"I value the cultural heritage embodied in traditional crafts as an integral part of humanity. I want future generations to appreciate things handmade in a world of industrialization and mass production."
Inspired by the age-old tradition of coming together at the dinner table, Niovi Forbes launched the Oxum NYC line of ceramics designed to be shared with family during the daily rituals. She believes that sitting and enjoying a meal with family while engaging all the senses makes us happier, healthier, and closer while building unique family traditions.
Niovi finds beauty in old objects, the natural aging of things, and the marks made by nature. She often turns to rust and the unique, unpredictable, abstract patterns and colors imprinted in this material by the elements and the passing of time. Each ceramic vessel embodies the beauty and artistry of ancient craft processes and functional art. She brings back ancient techniques used by artisans as early as 6,000 BCE in all eras and geographical locations. She and her team handmake the elevated simple forms that become canvases for color and texture exploration that result from the combinations of natural minerals and oxides. She uses English porcelain, coveted for its whiteness, strength, and translucence, and fires in energy-conservancy electric kilns at 2232 F degrees. All the clays and glazes are custom-formulated by her in the studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Niovi received a BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She has held Senior Design positions in Fortune 500 companies, including Ralph Lauren, Champion, and Perry Ellis. Niovi left the fashion industry to start her own company, to build and design with purpose while making life more beautiful.
Inspired by the age-old tradition of coming together at the dinner table, Niovi Forbes launched the Oxum NYC line of ceramics designed to be shared with family during the daily rituals. She believes that sitting and enjoying a meal with family while engaging all the senses makes us happier, healthier, and closer while building unique family traditions.
Niovi finds beauty in old objects, the natural aging of things, and the marks made by nature. She often turns to rust and the unique, unpredictable, abstract patterns and colors imprinted in this material by the elements and the passing of time. Each ceramic vessel embodies the beauty and artistry of ancient craft processes and functional art. She brings back ancient techniques used by artisans as early as 6,000 BCE in all eras and geographical locations. She and her team handmake the elevated simple forms that become canvases for color and texture exploration that result from the combinations of natural minerals and oxides. She uses English porcelain, coveted for its whiteness, strength, and translucence, and fires in energy-conservancy electric kilns at 2232 F degrees. All the clays and glazes are custom-formulated by her in the studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Niovi received a BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She has held Senior Design positions in Fortune 500 companies, including Ralph Lauren, Champion, and Perry Ellis. Niovi left the fashion industry to start her own company, to build and design with purpose while making life more beautiful.
