Romi Elise Phillips ()

Recently graduated from Central Saint Martins, Romi Elise Phillips' ceramic work is exceptional in its balance of fluid ornamentation and raw material finish.

Inspired by the expressive opulence of the Art Nouveau movement and the structural expressionism of Béton Brut, her practice seeks to merge the timeless elegance of ornamentation with the raw expression of brutalist design. Through the use of curvaceous lines and intricate detailing - balanced by muted palettes and raw, tactile surfaces - she aims to evoke a sense of refined grandeur. The sculptural presence of her work is designed to command attention within interior spaces, while its materiality and tonal restraint are conceived to seamlessly complement contemporary aesthetics. In this dialogue between the bold and the understated, her work aspires to serve as a focal point that enriches the surrounding environment - cultivating visual harmony and contributing to a sophisticated, layered design narrative. Her practice is developing through the combined disciplines of design and making.

Sustainability is at the forefront of her design practice, which aims to provide an environmentally conscious alternative to cement, an inherently unsustainable material widely adopted in contemporary design. Her choice of Rokk Grey Grogged Stoneware as the material for her designs enables minimal testing, a single firing, no waste, as unused clay is re-used, limited bisuqe firing and is not toxic, as the pieces are left unglazed.

Sophisticated yet understated, highly contemporary yet with a strong historical narrative, her work attracts immediate attention, and her designs are developing from strength to strength.