“starting life in South Africa has given me an embedded love for Africa it’s wildlife and its culture, the layering of stories that accompany them that really draws me in. It seems a love of
nature and how this can inspire us is at the heart of what we both do.”
Carl Koch is a British-South African artist, currently based in Oxfordshire. Having studied product design at Central St Martins, graduating in 2000, Carl worked internationally as a
graphic and print designer. His vision was always to launch his own studio practice. A dream he realised in 2017 when he established Paynes Grey.
With an emphasis on exploring the interplay between colour and texture Carl’s work takes inspiration from nature. Each piece is made from thousands of individually rolled, cut, dipped,
and assembled ceramic tiles. Many single parts come together to tell a story, echoing the rhythm of nature, like a living organism made from thousands of cells. Each tile is laboriously
hand crafted and undergoes several stages throughout the making process. Combining creative innovation with complex traditional techniques results in meticulously handmade
artworks that are both technically accomplished and labour intensive - two driving factors that harmonise to create pieces that are as intricately detailed as they are amorphous and
timeless.
