It was a quiet but striking presentation, proving that even something as simple as a teapot can be a canvas for creativity, history, and design.
At this year’s Milan Design Week, Loewe did something different. Instead of furniture or fashion, the Spanish luxury brand turned the spotlight on teapots.
Yes, teapots.
For this year’s exhibit, Loewe invited 25 internationally renowned artists, designers, and architects to create their own versions of the teapot. Curated by Jonathan Anderson, the exhibit “Loewe Teapots” opened at Palazzo Citterio in Milan and ran through April 13.
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Each teapot reflects the artist’s background and style.
South African ceramic artist Madoda Fani used traditional hand-coiling and left his teapot unglazed, giving it a raw, textured finish. Japanese artist Takayuki Sakiyama created a piece that looked like it was moving, curved, and spiraling like a wave.
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British painter Rose Wylie took inspiration from Royal Albert china, while Korean-American artist Jane Yang-D’Haene used frayed clay ribbons to wrap her pot like a dress. Some works were minimal. Others were bold and playful.
Architect David Chipperfield kept his design clean and simple, with a deep cobalt glaze and a slim copper handle. Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola played with curves and added soft color gradients to hers.
Other artists included Wang Shu, Naoto Fukasawa, Shozo Michikawa, and the Kyoto-based duo behind Suna Fujita, who created an animal-shaped teapot inspired by memory and imagination.
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The materials varied: some used porcelain, others used clay from specific regions. A few teapots had perforations that let light pass through. Some had leather handles. A couple didn’t have any glazing at all so the tea could “season” the inside over time.
The show also came with a collection of homewares: there were Galician clay teapots, scented candles, coasters made from woven leather, and tiny leather charms shaped like tea bags or flowers. The brand even worked with Japanese company Kaikado to make tin tea canisters decorated with brass animals and leather details.
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It was a low-key but striking presentation, proving that even something as simple as a teapot can be a canvas for creativity, history, and design.
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