Alana Crosby
Sydney-based ceramic artist Alana Crosby couldn’t find the ‘perfect’ lamp for her new apartment, so she decided to make some herself – her ceramic lamps embody playful imperfections and a tonal, textural depth, informed by travels to the desert.
Photography: Leif Prenzlau & Alana Crosby
Kit Lamp by Alana Crosby. Photo: Alana Crosby
‘I definitely have my dream job in design, I feel inspired every day and get to contribute to the creation and distribution of beautiful things in the world,’ says Alana Crosby. Photo: Leif Prenzlau
‘I think my work has evolved in a lot of ways, one of them being letting go of perfectionism, I now value the imperfections in my work more than anything,’ says Alana Crosby. Photo: Leif Prenzlau
H&F: Hi Alana, have you always had an interest in design and art?
Alana: Always! My mum is a very multi-talented artist, and my dad definitely should have been an architect he’s a brilliant designer. They took me to art galleries with them since I was tiny and my mum painted and created with me constantly - I can’t remember a time that art and design wasn’t a part of my life and feel so lucky for that.
Do you have a disciplined studio routine and any rituals to help keep you focused?
Definitely not, I wouldn’t describe myself as a very disciplined person in general (very right-brain) I carve out time as much as I can outside my full-time work hours, and when working on commissions I spend every spare minute on them.
When did the idea first come about to start making the lamps and other ceramic pieces - was there a light bulb moment to start your own business?
I’ve always loved lighting, I’m the annoying person at any dinner party that fiddles with the lights until the ambiance is perfect - when my partner Leif and I were moving into our first apartment together in 2020, I couldn’t seem to find the ‘perfect’ lamp for our bedside or living room, I was making vases and pots at the time and decided the only option was to make my own lamp! I loved the outcome so much that I haven’t stopped since.
As an artist, what’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way?
Always step out of the room and come back with fresh eyes when you’re feeling stuck – a life long tip from my mum.
Tell us about the process to make on one your pieces…
Each piece takes anywhere from 10-30+ hours to produce, every lamp is hand built with individually rolled coils, slowly and lovingly built up from nothing. Some more complicated shapes have to slightly dry in a very slow, controlled process for hours or even days before coming back to it, they’re then all bisque-fired, glazed (or not) and then fired again. Every single time is such a lovely surprise of how they come out of the kiln. The lamp shades are made bespoke with salvaged frames and natural linen by my godmother, Camilla. They’re the final missing piece every time.
Kit Lamp by Alana Crosby. Photo: Alana Crosby
Cleo Lamp in white by Alana Crosby. Photo: Leif Prenzlau
“I think all art is an expression of emotion – I can’t create when I’m feeling down or too happy as I want to be outside! I like my creative space to be a very calm, neutral one, which I hope is reflected in my work.”
‘Ceramics, it goes without saying, is also a dream job, I love getting my hands dirty and I find it so meditative,’ Alana Crosby. Photo: Alana Crosby
Knobbly Candlestick Holders 01 & 02 by Alana Crosby. Photo: Leif Prenzlau
Kit Lamp by Alana Crosby. Photo: Leif Prenzlau
How would you describe your personal aesthetic - does it cross over in your work?
Minimal yet fun, I tend to think it does - even just based off of the limited colour palette/tones used in my work. I would love to experiment with colourful glaze one day or more decorative shades, but I mostly hope for the interesting shapes to speak for themselves.
What drives you as an artist to keep exploring new ideas?
As a creative I’m inspired by almost anything and everything, and sometimes feel too overwhelmed with new ideas. From a film set, to a pattern on a piece of clothing, to the shape of a pebble, you just never know when inspiration hits. With the lengthy process of ceramics, I try to limit my scatter brain to concentrate on longer standing concepts and ideas, rather than jumping at every new idea and creating drawings that end up scrawled on the pages of my notebook.
What advice can you share with someone who aspires to be a designer?
Hang around like-minded people and work for people who inspire you!
Do you remember some of your early works - how has your work evolved throughout time?
It’s funny to think of how long I would spend on a tiny 10cm tall pot to make it absolutely perfect, I think my work has evolved in a lot of ways, one of them being letting go of perfectionism, I now value the imperfections in my work more than anything.
Is this your dream job?
I definitely have my dream job in design [at YSG Studio], I feel inspired every day and get to contribute to the creation and distribution of beautiful things in the world. Ceramics, it goes without saying, is also a dream job, I love getting my hands dirty and I find it so meditative, but if I’m honest with myself I think my poor back couldn’t handle going full-time with it!
What is a dream you would like to fulfil as an artist?
It’s always been a dream of mine to live in New York and soak up all the art and design over there, the last few covid years have created major setbacks with that but I hope to get there one day.
What’s coming up for your business in the new year?
I can't believe it's already October! I would love to work on more interesting commissions in the new year, my favourite of this past year has been making a 2 metre tall ceramic cactus wall light for Zoë Foster Blake's residence, designed by YSG.
Ceramic tables are also in the works as well as attempting a very tall floor lamp. I’m really excited to see what 2023 brings!