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About

First name

Onka

Last Name

Allmayer-Beck

Username

Onka

City

Wien

Country

Austria

Biography

Born in Austria, living and working in Vienna

I Studied Fashion Design, Womans wear in Central Saint Martins, where I Graduated  with a BA in  2004.

2004-2016 I  lived in Milan, Italy working  as fashion designer for various Brands ( Carol Christian Poell, Strenesse, Giorgio Armani) and taught Fashion Design at various Universities ( IUAV Venezia, Polidesign Milano, Politecnico Milano)

After quiting my job in Fashion, I bought myself  a pottery wheel and a kiln and found myself an Italian  Maestro to teach me  Ceramics, in fashion my specialization was Leather, like clay a natural material that you can manipulate to a certain point but must always leave room for the material to have its own mind.

a trip to Russia introduced me to slap building technique – something that changed my whole view on ceramics. My vessels are very intuitive , i start of with an approximate idea of where im going but stay very open to what happens when building. ceramic is a fickle creature and so much depends on the outcome – the temperature you work at , if its summer or winter, wet or dry, all must be taken in consideration and the golden rule- you cant rush anything.

coming from fashion where you constantly work high speed, rushing from one idea to the next, almost dont even have the time to finish a thought,  this is like a breath of fresh air to me.

i started my ceramics for myself, really only doing what i like, taking all the time it needs to finish a piece, to this day i make all my ceramics, so that in theory i would keep them myself. For me Ceramics is not a trend and i feel that i still have a lot to say.

The past 3 years i have  dedicated to my  Ceramics, but also enjoy working on illustrations and other projects, such as contributing in various exhibitions and design fairs, as well as collaborating and illustrating costumes for the Berlin Staatsoper ( Der Rosenkavalier)  designing costumes for an Austrian Theater festival, Shoe capsule  collection for Designers, i feel one discipline pollinates the other, with ceramics remaining my main focus and passion.

my ceramics are hand- slapbuild, fired 2, and brush glazed, all realized by myself in my studio in Vienna.

Education

School / Course

Central St Martins

Solo Shows

Show Name

"Spotted by Federica Sala". RIVIERA / MILANO

Show Name

PALAIS OBIZZI/ Vienna

Show Name

CATRINETTE/ Vienna

Group Shows

Show Name

EARTH & FIRE, Schloss Hollengg for Design

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