ABOUT – Vezzini & Chen

Vezzini & Chen

Vezzini & Chen’s work is defined by the artful marriage of hand carved ceramics and blown glass. The collections tread a fine line between functional and conceptual, with the design duo creating sculptural hand crafted lighting, glassware, interior accessories and installation pieces.

The duo met and began working together while on the MA course at the Royal College of Art, forming their London studio after graduating. Cristina Vezzini specialises in hand crafted ceramics and Stan Chen is an accomplished glassblower. The creative partnership brings together their two disciplines, materials and styles within unified compositions; the two sides and forms artfully interact, creating a compelling visual dialogue.

Vezzini, originally from Italy and Chen, from Taiwan, were both drawn to study in London by the rich heritage, traditions and knowledge of their chosen crafts within Britain. Their work is led by the designers’ immense skill and attention to detail within their disciplines, the quality and craftsmanship being paramount. Every piece is hand crafted by the duo, each element being individually hand made, creating final compositions that are entirely unique each time.

The designers’ personal fascinations shine through their work and use of form; geometry, texture and repetition within the ceramic, and fluid simplicity with the glass. Growing up next to Lake Garda with both parents being scientists, Vezzini has been influenced by organic forms and microbiology, fascinated by the underlying structures and geometric shapes within nature. Seeds are another central theme, Vezzini having collected them on her travels for over 15 years, she is fascinated by both their forms and concept as containers of potential growth, organic information and personal memory. Chen’s focus is led by the material nature of glass and the process of glassblowing by hand. Working with glass in its molten state requires speed, rhythm and a respect and understanding of its fluid nature. This is reflected in Chen’s glass forms, the simplicity and grace dictated by the material itself.

Vezzini & Chen bring these two aesthetic worlds together, combining fluid forms with intricate detail, repetition, texture and geometry. Light plays a central role within the work, the designers drawing on their experience of diving, seeing the refraction of light underwater and its reflections on coral and marine life. Within the collection light is diffused through the ceramic and glass, creating a rich interaction between the materials and components, bringing the pieces to life.