Some of us cut down on screen time by picking up a book. Tanvi Arora picked up some clay. “I wanted to reconnect with making something physical after years of computer-based design and concept-driven work,” says the Vancouver-based artist behind Tav Ceramics, who began her career in interior design, where she’d spend hours in front of a computer creating CAD drawings instead of doing the hands-on work she craved. “Clay gave me a slower, more grounded process and I became interested in how small, functional objects shape everyday rituals.”
Her pieces are minimal and restrained and have a global influence, thanks to her multicultural upbringing in South Asia and the Middle East. Crackled raku vessels, delicate bronze-black platters and smoke-fired vases have an ancient, earthy energy—these are objets with a calm, grounding presence.
Arora continues to challenge herself with new ways to fire, and new types of forms, too: her Nox table lamp, for instance, has been a popular addition to her product line. Whatever she crafts, it’s an extension of how Arora “moves through the world,” she says. “Each piece is made with intention, with an understanding that it will enter someone’s daily life and occupy a space for years to come.” tavceramics.com
WE LOVE LOCAL
Ceramicist Tanvi Arora’s favourite Vancouver brands and shops.
Origins
“Origins’ wood wall sculptures feel architectural and grounding at the same time. I love how the material is the focus—grain, shadow and form do most of the talking.”
Neighbour
93 W Cordova St., shopneighbour.com
“I appreciate their focus on quality and longevity. Even browsing here is inspiring because everything feels intentional and well-styled.”
Rubeena Ratcliffe
“I’m really drawn to the collage-y nature of her work. The shapes feel almost random and strewn but they come together in a way that feels incredibly intentional. Her colour language is impeccable—there’s such a strong sense of harmony and tension in the palette that makes the compositions feel perfectly resolved.”
Parliament
2703 Main St., parliamentinteriors.com
“This is a beautifully curated store with a mix of furniture, lighting, textiles and objects. Everything feels elevated, and going there feels more like wandering through a stylish, collected space than a traditional shop.”
