Les Ateliers Courbet
December 2021 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach

For its third participation in Design Miami, Les Ateliers Courbet highlighted the work of ceramicist Karen Swami through the Topographic Memories collection. This limited-edition series of handcrafted pieces brings together the exceptional craftsmanship of the Ateliers Saint-Jacques, the Fonderie de Coubertin, Israeli designer Raphael Navot, and above all, the singular vision of Karen Swami. Her approach to art ceramics plays a key role in shaping the identity of the collection.

Renowned for her sensitive exploration of materials and form, Karen Swami brings an organic and contemplative dimension to this collaboration. Her pieces, crafted with exceptional artisanal precision and artistic depth, engage in a dialogue with stone and bronze, infusing the collection with a mineral resonance that echoes the Earth’s geological origins – a central theme of the project.

Topographic Memories celebrates the intersection of art, technique, and nature through a selection of sculptural pieces, including tables and lighting objects. Through this collaboration, Karen Swami powerfully asserts her role as a “conduit of matter,” grounded in a tradition of excellence in art ceramics, while boldly embracing contemporary experimentation.