SAM CROCKER




COLLECTION                                    01.C.016
IN COLLABORATION WITH CHEF                         STEVEN ORTIZ                    
YEAR            2024                                                NUMBER OF PIECES                            15







IMG                     C.001
LANGOUSTINE   ON     PLATE 01.C.016.05

























1                    ABOUT         THE    COLLECTION

Crafted with a celebration of imperfection, this pottery line stands out with its focus on organic lines and earthen texture. Inspired by asymmetry and the unexpected, each piece exudes a raw elegance. Every curve and contour tells a story of the artisan's hand. Embracing the unique and imperfect, it invites admiration for its delicate details.
    

                               




2                   ABOUT     THE                        CHEF

Born and raised in the Bronx, Chef Steve Ortiz first fell in love with cooking through books. His main inspirations came from “Devil in the Kitchen” by Marco Pierre White and “Letters to a Young Chef” by Daniel Boulud. He went on to cook at some of the best restaurants in the world, including Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare here in New York City (3 Michelin stars), Alinea in Chicago (3 Michelin stars), Canvas in Bangkok (1 Michelin star), and Chef’s Table at Rote Wand in the Austrian Alps.   


                        
















3                    INTERVIEW        WITH                   CHEF STEVEN ORTIZ


Q             Where did you get the inspiration for this line?

A             I’ve spent a lot of time in high-end kitchens where perfection was the only rule of the day.  In the technique, the ingredients, and in the plates themselves.  I found myself though looking at these perfect, symetrical, lined-up plates and wanting to feel something natural come through.  Organic interpretations are more attractive to me


Q             Which one is your favorite piece? 

A             I’ll have to go with the chipped porcelain bowl, as it’s the ultimate expression of blend between perfection and organic with it’s chipped rim. Though the egg-shaped bowl with the gold rim is a close second







                               
IMG                    C.003
                           











4                    FULL COLLECTION                                                    15 PIECES  







IMG                    C.003
FUNGHI WITH SQUID INK        BY    STEVEN ORTIZ        ON     PLATE 01.C.016.03





   
04                    ARTIST     NOTES

This was an incredibly informative and exploratory experience working with Steve.  He joined me in the studio for the creative sesisons and upended the way I think about how I put my work together.  

It felt like a true reveletation when we were looking at a first form of the plate and he stood there for a minute, and effortlessly suggested i just start snappign pieces off the rim.  My brain just didin’t think like that, and in doing it I felt I took a step forward with how I work.  What a unique feeling!













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