Kerry Lau talks about simple rituals, mochi, camping and more

Carrie Lau she had many sources of inspiration, and the special items produced for her when she was younger are among the most significant. “My mum made me high school uniforms with little traditional Chinese style details and my aunt made me bags and backpacks out of Sanrio fabric – I still have them in my closet,” she says. “I didn’t realize at the time how much it moved me, but those memories of their craftsmanship continued to motivate my creativity.”

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Lau eventually settled in Los Angeles. A friend introduced her to ceramics and she fell in love with it. She was drawn to the practical process of shaping clay, which for her is also a meditative practice in today’s busy world.

A woman stands in an art studio with colorful abstract artwork on the wall, surrounded by art supplies, plants and ceramics.

Carrie Lau \\\ Photo: Mark Schlosser

Lau was content to make pieces for herself or co-workers as a hobby, but the business proved to be a hit. People wanted to display these unique items in their homes, give them as gifts, or pick their favorites and build a collection. She joined the craft market to keep the momentum going, and her passion turned into a career.

Lau founded object matter (OM) in 2016, and as a versatile artist she is also known for her paintings, home textiles and sculptures. OM Ceramic pottery. She remains always curious about different elements and how they interact, adapting them to fit a certain concept.

No matter what project he takes on, Lau tends to embrace something new. “I can play with different media to see where they take me,” she notes. “I often have a vision and want to achieve a certain look that I haven’t tried before, so I’ll keep exploring until I find it.”

Joining us today is Carrie Lau for friday friday!

Bowl of Japanese dessert with green tea ice cream, sweet red bean, mochi and green jelly cubes on white table top.

Photo: Carrie Lau

1. Mochi

Mochi makes me happy. It is a cultural snack that reminds me of New Year’s celebrations, when I would make it with my family. Chewy and sweet, and brings me back to those moments of our life together.

Large rock formations and scattered boulders under a clear sky with a few clouds, surrounded by sparse vegetation in a desert landscape during sunset.

Photo: Carrie Lau

2. Camping

Camping with friends is one of my favorite ways to reset. Every trip is different, but always full of moments that stay with me – hiking Jumbo Rock, hiking the cliffs of Big Sur, finding streams and lakes, or watching the sunset into the ocean. I like to cook food together, sit by the fire, look at the stars and listen to the silence of the forest. It’s simple and thorough, and it reminds me to slow down, notice the details, and feel connected.

A person walks in front of a large yellow pumpkin sculpture with black dots, located on a concrete pier by the sea under a cloudy sky.

Photo: Jones Tam

3. Travel and photos

Travel has always been one of my biggest inspirations. Every trip leaves me with fragments – the colors on the wall, the sound of the sea, the light on the mountains or even a simple meal. Along the way, I take photos, often of small details and textures, and later I find new sparks of inspiration in them – sometimes even the beginning of a painting or ceramic form.

A woman sits in a pottery studio, holding a small brown dog. Ceramic mugs and abstract art are displayed on the shelves and walls behind her.

Photo: Mark Schlosser

4. My beloved fur baby, Bowl

My dog ​​Bowl passed away in 2024, but she will always be one of my greatest sources of love and inspiration. The time we spent together – walking, playing or just being – brought me so much joy and comfort. Remembering her reminds me to stay present, to appreciate the small moments and to hold on to love even in its quietest forms.

A cup of black coffee in a red cup and saucer sits on a table with a spoon, a vase with green leaves and a Japanese menu in the background.

Photo: Carrie Lau

5. Simple rituals

Coffee, matcha, boba tea – small drinks that feel like great comfort. These simple rituals give me a break in the day, a moment to breathe and notice what’s around me. They reset me and bring a sense of calm that I bring to my work.

Works by Carrie Lau and Objects-Matter (OM):

Six uniquely shaped ceramic vases and lamps with abstract patterns and blue, beige and multi-colored designs are displayed on a concrete surface against a white background.

Photo: Carrie Lau

Form and Flora — pop-up installation at Slowdown Studio in Los Angeles, 2022. The work explored vases and sculptural forms through playful combinations of glaze, color and texture. Each piece became an experiment in form and surface, celebrating the organic connections between form and flora.

A display of abstract ceramic and clay sculptures, plants and vases on tiered wooden shelves against a geometric wall hanging in a brightly lit room with yellow accents.

Photo: Carrie Lau

A collection of ceramic mugs with a variety of colorful, abstract and playful hand-painted designs arranged on a white surface.

Photo: Carrie Lau

A collection of hand painted mugs, each completely handmade and unique. The designs are recognizable but constantly changing, turning an everyday object into a small work of art.

A group of stools with colorful geometric patterns are arranged on platforms; a small bust and a vase with field flowers are also shown.

photo: Cory Foote \\\ Art direction and style: Lemonade Creative

Cooperation with an interior designer Darlene Monlar – These sculptural coffee tables blur the line between function and art. Each custom design explores scale and form in pairs and will officially launch later this year.

A yellow and blue plaid round table with a fruit bowl with red apples and cherries on top, next to orange gerberas in a small vase, with brown draped fabric in the background.

photo: Cory Foote \\\ Art direction and style: Lemonade Creative

A colorful abstract art print is centered on a white wall, surrounded by ceramic loops, mugs, small photographs and decorative objects arranged in an eclectic display.

Photo: Carrie Lau

A series of wall knots and objects with printed patterns – Their organic, playful forms grew out of curiosity – exploring how shape, texture and rhythm can live on the wall like a sculpture.

A wooden chair is placed against a white wall with a brown leather belt tied in a bow and hung above it.

Photo: Carrie Lau

An abstract arrangement of colorful, irregularly shaped ceramic pieces, including pinks, yellows, blues, greens, oranges and beiges, placed on a plain white background.

Photo: Carrie Lau

A white carpet with colorful abstract shapes lies on the concrete floor. A small wooden chair sits on the carpet with a black vase holding pink flowers.

Photo: Carrie Lau

Wander the park’s woolen carpet – Inspired by time spent in nature, the design plays with shapes, color and interaction. Each rug is hand-woven and hand-dyed in Jaipur, India, in collaboration with local artisans who focus on craft and quality.

Caroline Williamson is the editor-in-chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found scavenging for vintage products, solving New York Times crossword puzzles with a pen, or rearranging a playlist on Spotify.



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