Bag
Bag (0)
An error occurred while loading your bag, please retry or refresh the page.
Janaki Larsen: Beauty in Decay
2019.02.01

Janaki Larsen: Beauty in Decay

The furnishings looked aged and worn, yet the tattered fixtures gave Janaki’s ceramic studio a sense of timeless beauty. A delicate layer of clay dusted the room, making all it held glow softly as sunlight spilled through the windows. On second thought, beauty doesn’t quite capture what I saw—it was character.

I looked around Janaki Larsen’s space, remembering the first time we met. It had been about two years since I first set foot here, struck by its singular aesthetic. The walls were heavily textured, beautifully marked with cracks and peeling paint. The floor, once painted white, was now covered corner to corner with scratches—proof of Janaki’s hard work in the studio. Her shelves were filled with broken ceramic pieces and vases holding all kinds of dried florals. One old chair perched on the corner, with half of its upholstery missing. Despite its age and wear, it looked regal, presiding over the room like a vintage throne.

No surprise there, for she is the co-founder of Le Marche St. George, a whimsical cafe and home to intriguing locally-made edibles and condiments. She is also the owner of Atelier St. George, where she sells handcrafted goods from other designers. Other than being an active supporter of small businesses, she is a successful ceramic artist herself.

From where do Janaki get her creativity? I wondered.From where do Janaki get her creativity? I wondered.
[ JANAKI ] I look at things all the time. If you just watch, a lot of things happen when you think nothing is going on.[ JANAKI ] I look at things all the time. If you just watch, a lot of things happen when you think nothing is going on.
[ JANAKI ] I have a tendency to think, maybe over think things. I often forget that they are only thoughts and I will feel differently sometimes in a mere second. So when I am stressed out and tangled up in my mind, this is a gentle reminder that it is merely a fleeting moment. In a broader sense, it's also a reminder of the impermanence of everything.[ JANAKI ] I have a tendency to think, maybe over think things. I often forget that they are only thoughts and I will feel differently sometimes in a mere second. So when I am stressed out and tangled up in my mind, this is a gentle reminder that it is merely a fleeting moment. In a broader sense, it's also a reminder of the impermanence of everything.
One of Janaki’s strength is her knack in finding beauty and interest in the unnoticed.One of Janaki’s strength is her knack in finding beauty and interest in the unnoticed.
[ JANAKI ] I like to conduct "mini experiments" to watch nature evolve. This green plate, for instance, is inspired by my moldy bread experiments. I decided to leave bread alone for a few weeks, just to see what happens. The resulting mold created such beautiful texture that I had to incorporate its colours and character into my own projects.[ JANAKI ] I like to conduct "mini experiments" to watch nature evolve. This green plate, for instance, is inspired by my moldy bread experiments. I decided to leave bread alone for a few weeks, just to see what happens. The resulting mold created such beautiful texture that I had to incorporate its colours and character into my own projects.
She gingerly took a piece of moldy bread and placed it onto the green plate. Bread and plate immediately clicked. It was a moment where a painting meets its muse. She gingerly took a piece of moldy bread and placed it onto the green plate. Bread and plate immediately clicked. It was a moment where a painting meets its muse. 
[ JANAKI ] I also have an ongoing sprouting potato project. And you see that flower over there? Most would consider its current state the most beautiful, but I am more interested to know what it will look like in two weeks.[ JANAKI ] I also have an ongoing sprouting potato project. And you see that flower over there? Most would consider its current state the most beautiful, but I am more interested to know what it will look like in two weeks.
[ JANAKI ] I am always curious to see what’s next, what’s beyond.[ JANAKI ] I am always curious to see what’s next, what’s beyond.
[ JANAKI ] Most of the stuff I collect are dead. I love texture—and had felt this way when I was a kid, way before I attended art school.[ JANAKI ] Most of the stuff I collect are dead. I love texture—and had felt this way when I was a kid, way before I attended art school.
[ JANAKI ] As a child, my family lived in a house that bordered a forest and I had a drying rack in my room that was filled with my nature collection. It consisted of oddities such as bones, shells, tree bark and seaweed. Objects intrigue most me when their life is spent. Their “death” is a reflection that “they have done it”. That, to me, was a sign of triumph.[ JANAKI ] As a child, my family lived in a house that bordered a forest and I had a drying rack in my room that was filled with my nature collection. It consisted of oddities such as bones, shells, tree bark and seaweed. Objects intrigue most me when their life is spent. Their “death” is a reflection that “they have done it”. That, to me, was a sign of triumph.
Our conversation continued on well into the afternoon. Creative work often comes with its fair share of challenges. Janaki and I have to wear multiple hats, solve problems independently and take very little days off. Despite difficult days, we are always grateful for the opportunity to pursue our passion.Our conversation continued on well into the afternoon. Creative work often comes with its fair share of challenges. Janaki and I have to wear multiple hats, solve problems independently and take very little days off. Despite difficult days, we are always grateful for the opportunity to pursue our passion.
[ JANAKI ] Vestige is thoughtful. With your work, I can see that you do love people, and you integrate your experiences with people into your designs. You are not a designer who simply seek to make money—but someone who enjoys the entire creative process.[ JANAKI ] Vestige is thoughtful. With your work, I can see that you do love people, and you integrate your experiences with people into your designs. You are not a designer who simply seek to make money—but someone who enjoys the entire creative process.