For the Pot Heads
In the fourth volume of "Arrangements," discover how contemporary creators are transforming planters into art.
As spring lures us outside, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the enduring tradition of plant pots—a craft that dates back thousands of years. Imagine the ancient Egyptians, the first to bring pots filled with ferns and palms indoors, infusing their homes with a touch of the natural world. The ancient Greeks nurtured plants in earthenware vessels in their temples, while the Romans embellished their rooftops with cascading terracotta-grown greenery. Today, we uphold this heritage, using pots as tools to bring nature into our homes. So, in this fourth volume of “Arrangements,” we’re taking a look at how contemporary artists are redefining this long-standing practice. While terracotta still makes an appearance, this edition takes a more eclectic approach, featuring pots made from woven PVC, hand-spun steel and acrylics rendered in dozens of colors. Join me in exploring how containers not only enliven our surroundings but serve as canvases that deepen our connection to nature.
In the 1920s, commercial houseplant production began with palms and pothos, expanding to philodendrons in the 1940s. By 1948, Henri Matisse's art studio housed a giant monstera that inspired his work. During his final decade, he used white paper and gouache, transforming cutouts into vibrant depictions of plants, animals and abstract forms.
In Cindy Bernhard's "Nebula,” a black cat peeks through the leaves of a potted plant, while a window opens to a starry nebula. Her work explores altered states using symbolic objects, bright synthetic palettes and curious cats, creating mystical, atmospheric compositions that pull you into a vibrant, enchanting world.
Kwangho Lee reimagines common materials with a blend of nostalgia and innovation, drawing from his childhood memories on his grandparents' farm. His creations, including a planter woven from nylon and PVC, exemplify his philosophy that "ordinary objects can become something else."
“Pot Plants” by Andalusian artist Conrado López reminded me of a flower festival that takes place in that same region of Spain: The Fiesta de los Patios, an annual event and competition in Cordoba. I wrote about this event for Travel + Leisure, and my friend and photographer Silvia Conde captured it beautifully. For two weeks, residents open their courtyards, showcasing spaces adorned with flower-filled baskets dangling from walls and wrought-iron windows. In one courtyard, for example, bright-red begonias and hot-pink fuchsias burst from 500 planters strategically attached to the surrounding walls.
Polly Shindler’s “Terrace With Plants” features a vibrant array of potted plants on a terrace, set against the New York skyline. By blending realism and design, she creates atmospheres rich in color, pattern and texture, reflecting both classical and modern influences.
Reniel Del Rosario’s “Dying Plant” is a ceramic sculpture of a droopy plant in a terracotta pot. Using ceramics and satire, Del Rosario explores themes of commodification and value, challenging consumer culture and prompting reflections on identity.
Plants & Spaces, founded by Zilah Drahn, specializes in transforming interiors with bespoke potted plants. I love their recent collaboration with Muhly on a range of hand-spun stainless steel planters, blending retro charm with modern materials. For instance, Selene’s moonlike shape draws inspiration from handcrafted planters of the 1980s, while Mica evokes the essence of 1980s pewter objects.
Bari Ziperstein, the creative force behind Bzippy & Co, turns functional ceramics into bold, sculptural statements. Her inventive planters combine architectural forms with vibrant glazes, creating pieces that are both utilitarian and artful.
Sung Hwa Kim’s work often places still-life arrangements before windows that frame urban landscapes, where the only greenery is depicted on the vessels themselves. This tension between the manmade outside world and the serene, painted scenes on the pots plays with contrasts of light and shadow, symbolically echoing themes of life and death.
Sanso, one of my favorite sources for planters, is known for pairing unique plants with handcrafted ceramic wares, creating pieces that resemble works of art. While Sanso’s Frogtown shop has closed, you can find her work at the occasional pop-up in L.A.
Ossa New York's phone wristlet features freshwater pearls arranged in charming flower pot motifs, all strung on a braided cord. Need, not want.
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