Moumonde

This month, we’re thrilled to feature Karitas Palsdottir, the creative force behind Moumonde. Karitas crafts whimsical ceramic creatures that blend the charm of illustration with the tactile beauty of clay, inviting us into a world where imagination takes tangible form.

A Journey Through Creativity

Karitas’s artistic journey is a tapestry woven with various mediums. From painting and illustration to animation and prop-making, she’s explored numerous avenues of expression. However, it was in ceramics that she found a harmonious blend of her passions.

“I’ve always created things, ever since I was little, but I don’t think I fully allowed myself to embody it. Thinking back, everything I always made was for someone else—through work, commissions, and other people’s passion projects.”

The Start of things… tiny things!

Four years ago, she began working with ceramics, and it felt like a natural extension of her illustrative work. The tactile nature of clay allowed her to bring her characters to life in three dimensions, leading to the birth of her tiny things collection.

The Essence of Moumonde

The name Moumonde is a fusion of two French words: ‘mou’ meaning soft and ‘monde’ meaning world. Together, they encapsulate the essence of Karitas’s creations—a soft world that offers a gentle contrast to the often harsh realities of life.

‘A soft world’ felt like a good contrast to the sometimes harsh world we live in and maybe it also felt a little magical.”

Inspirations and Process

Karitas draws inspiration from a myriad of sources: childhood memories, dreams, nature, and the uninhibited creativity of her two young sons. Her process often begins with a sketch, especially for her character-driven pieces. She prefers to work with background noise—be it music, podcasts, or even a TV series—creating an environment that fosters spontaneity and flow.

“I like the process to be fun and childlike, to not think too much about it.”

A Favourite Creation

Among her creations, one holds a special place in her heart: Bjarndýrakóngur, or King of Bears. Inspired by a creature from a poster of strange animals and monsters from Icelandic sagas, this piece was one of the first in her tiny things collection and now proudly resides in her workspace.

Workspaces of Wonder

Karitas splits her time between two workspaces: a cozy, albeit sometimes messy, home studio where ideas are born, and a serene space at Oslo Keramikkverksted, where she focuses on painting and glazing her pieces. Each environment offers a unique energy that complements different stages of her creative process.

Connecting Through Craft

At the heart of Karitas’s work is a desire to evoke emotion and connection. Each piece in her tiny things collection is unique, crafted with the hope that it resonates with someone on a personal level.

“I’m hoping each of them resonates with someone, whether it gives them a warm feeling, a remembrance of something, or even just an unexplainable connection.”

Bridging Illustration and Ceramics

For Karitas, illustration and ceramics are two sides of the same coin. Her background in illustration informs her ceramic work, allowing her to infuse her sculptures with personality and narrative. This interdisciplinary approach enriches her creations, making them both visually and emotionally engaging.

Influences and Inspirations

Karitas’s artistic influences span a diverse range of artists and makers:

• Classics: Miró, Louise Bourgeois, Yayoi Kusama, Picasso, Cy Twombly
• Contemporary: Abigail Brown, Jamie Hayon, Kaye Blegvad, Isolina Minjeong

These artists inspire her to push boundaries and explore new dimensions in her work.

I’d like to thank Karitas for allowing us to feature her work and share images of the work she does.

Creativity & Community

Kelly x

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This Maker Spotlight is part of our ongoing series celebrating the talented members of the Handmade in Norway Inner Circle. If you’re a maker interested in being featured, join our Inner Circle and become part of a supportive community that values creativity and craftsmanship.

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