Featured Artist: Olaf Mitka – No.2 Collection

Olaf Mitka, an architect and artist, describes his creative journey as a blend of passion for nature and a curiosity to challenge conventional perspectives. Olaf is now based in Berlin, however he was born and raised in a family of makers in a village in southern Poland. After graduating architecture from Cracow University of Technology, he honed his skills in Berlin before immersing himself in the world of clay that allowed him to reconnect with artistic roots and find fulfillment on a more personal and expressive level.

He played with clay from a young age, crafting simple figures that sparked his imagination. As he grew older, Olaf ventured into carpentry and sculpture, exploring three-dimensional forms and textures, and further refining his skills in architecture. Through his ceramic works, he captures the essence of nature while infusing them with a sense of unsettling beauty and uncanniness.
By observing the harmonious chaos and delicate balance between growth and decay, he channels these qualities into his ceramics.

His works capture the essence of nature, with its intricate shapes and patterns, while respecting the inherent qualities of the medium.

For him, creating art is more than just making beautiful objects; it’s about making unique, handcrafted pieces with value beyond their utilitarian purposes. The importance lies in capturing the essence of nature and transformation. Inspired by the captivating landscapes of lava flows, moss-covered stones, crackled rocks, rust, and the organic world, he reimagines these elements into evocative textures and forms. Each piece emerging from the kiln carries a story, a testament to the raw and untamed beauty of growth and the relentless passage of time.

Olaf is self-taught, and has been working in a community studio since 2022. He works mainly by mixing different handbuilding techniques, and creates his own glazes. No.2 Collection is thrilled to represent Olaf's work and share with you both his collection of limited edition functional pieces and unique artistic sculptures.