The ceramic brand Ker is based in Reykjavik, Iceland.
All items by Ker are designed and handmade on the wheel by artist Guðbjörg Káradóttir who has been working as a ceramics artist since 1994, when she graduated from the Icelandic Academy of Arts. Guðbjörg used to teach ceramics at the Reykjavik School of Visual Art for 20 years (1997-2017) and got an Arts Education degree from the Iceland Academy of Arts in 2002.
Guðbjörg works with stoneware and porcelain in her work.
Regarding her inspiration, Icelandic nature has always played a big part in Guðbjorg’s work. She grew up in Hafnarfjördur, a small town near Reykjavik that is built on lava, even her old street is called Sléttahraun, which means flat-lava. Growing up in this environment has had severe influence in her work to this day.
When working for the Blue Lagoon, on a totally different project using volcanic ash, Guðbjörg started experimenting with the ash and porcelain in her studio.
She then developed a method in mixing Volcanic ash from Southern Peninsula region in Iceland in porcelain. The outcome has an interesting texture and colour, as seen in the candleholders, vases and cups for Ker.
Ker’s production uses 100% green energy regarding firing and all other electric devices and is in the process of getting an official certification by The National Power Company of Iceland.
Guðbjörg has been working exclusively with some of Iceland's top chefs designing tableware and pendants for restaurants in Iceland and the Claus Meyer restaurant Agern in Grand Central, New York.
When designing tableware for restaurants she personalises her work to the atmosphere and style of the food and restaurant. It all starts with a conversation with the chefs and she then works from there. For her a piece is ready when the chefs work has been presented on the tableware itself. It makes the perfect teamwork. The goal is to create a timeless product with fine regard for detail.
On a more personal note, Guðbjörg has been volunteering in Sierra Leone, Africa, for the foundation Aurora. For about two months a year since 2018, she has helped to establish a ceramics workshop and school called Lettie Stuart pottery. The project revolves around helping local potters, students and their communities to attain sustainable development.
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