Studio Tour: Andrew Molleur
Call me a total snob, but when I first moved upstate to Kingston, NY, I wasn’t quite sure if the design scene would compare to that of the big city. Sure, there were fabulous flea markets and stunning historic homes, but I was worried that a potential dearth of creative-types might find me at a loss for inspiration—and things to write about! What I found, however, was quite the opposite. Over the past year and a half that I’ve lived here, I’ve been completely bowled over by the sheer abundance of creativity that this region has to offer—from beautifully designed homes to thriving craft and design businesses. Each day, it seems, I’m introduced to some new, wonderful artist or designer. Ones like Andrew Molleur, the phenomenally talented Kingston-based ceramist I was introduced to at this autumn’s Phoenicia Flea.
With geometric and architectonic forms, Andrew’s work defies preconceived notions of what ceramics can and should be. Although his body of work includes both functional objects and fine art, many of his pieces toe the line between these two distinctions; beautiful design objects and artistic studies in form, material, and color. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to pay Andrew a visit at his midtown Kingston studio. Located in a nondescript garage on an equally nondescript street, one would hardly imagine the treasure trove of beautiful objects and works-in-progress within. Inside, this one-man-show is a wonder to behold. With a million-and-one things going on at any given moment (moulds being made, pieces being fired in the kiln), there is no shortage of interesting things to look at and inspect. After nearly an hour and a half of poking around and snapping photos, I may have overstayed my welcome, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was still more to see and more to learn. Check out all of the photos from my visit after the jump and—if you’re in town—come meet Andrew this weekend at The Hudson Valley Hullabaloo holiday market! —Max
