Frizbee Ceramics: In Search of Infinite Possibilities Through Curiosity and Play

The founders of Frizbee Ceramics, Lisa and Elliot, are no strangers to the unique textures of Taiwan. Their connection to the island runs deep, from their early days as exchange students at TNUA to their 2023 exhibition at Ponding. This year, they returned to Taipei for a pop-up at Mowa Coffee Roasters, bringing a fresh wave of energy and playful eccentricity to the city’s design landscape.

While Frizbee Ceramics’ work is defined by bold personalities and vibrant colour palettes, the duo carries a slightly different presence in person. Their speech is measured and their tone steady. In conversation, there is a clarity in how they navigate change, an artist’s poise amidst uncertainty, and this sense of composure extends naturally into their craft.

Lisa and Elliot’s affection for Taiwan is rooted in their fascination with its streets, its people, and its culture. Recalling her first visit in 2015, Lisa admits to arriving with a blank slate. On the drive from the airport to the coastal district of Tamsui, she found herself in a state of wonder: "Where are we?" as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings.

Elliot laughs as he recalls the journey. Buildings clad in tiles and tropical greenery appearing unexpectedly. “It’s like a completely different world," he says, likening the experience to the Dragon Ball universe, where crossing into a new district felt like a planetary shift as the styles of buildings change.

They are particularly captivated by the improvisations found in Taiwanese streetscapes, like the makeshift structures used to hog parking spots. What a local might dismiss as urban clutter, the duo views it as an archive of creative intervention. Elliot describes these everyday scenes as "beautiful, ingenious, and fascinating." 

In an era when translation tools were still clunky, often turning casual chats into something strangely philosophical, these misinterpretations only added to the charm of their exploration.

Founded in Brussels in 2016, Frizbee Ceramics began with everyday objects and sculptural play. From cups and plates to decorative objects, their body of work is both accessible and distinct. Their vibrant styles and charming, hand-drawn designs have long been favourites among collectors. Unlike traditional ceramics that strive for refined perfection, their work possesses a relaxed, playful character.

A major part of this appeal lies in their approach to glazing, a process they treat as a world of infinite possibilities. Their aesthetic meanwhile, is a combination of artistic influences, from sculpture, contemporary art to the history of Portuguese ceramics. 

Lisa, who loves the physical act of making, mentions a recent spontaneous project on a Portuguese beach where she created a chair out of salvaged styrofoam and bamboo. "It was a quick project working with hands that doesn’t have to have a function." she explains.

Elliot finds his spark in Le Scrameustache, a Belgian sci-fi comic about an alien teddy bear he read as a child. The saturated, layered colourways in the 90s feel incredibly alive and fascinating. Somewhere between the refined and the expressive, those wobbly, grinning faces and alien doodles have carved out a unique brand identity.

For Frizbee Ceramics, ceramics isn't a rigid or overly controlled medium, but a durable vessel for endless exploration. At every stage of the process, change and uncertainty are ever-present. Inspiration usually strikes the moment you "accept accidents" as they happen. By staying open to unpredictable surprises, these mishaps become an integral part of the creative process.

This ethos strips away the sterility of industrial production, giving each piece a human touch. Maintaining a sense of play within the rigours of trial and error remains their most vital resource. 

“It’s nice to create objects that people want to keep, to make them smile. That itself is already very nice.” - Elliot

Elliot describes their collections as a form of "funkiness" for a space. In minimalist or particularly quiet interiors, these objects act as little pick-me-ups that can even harmonise with one’s outfit for the day. This effortless pairing turns daily rituals into a game full of joy and colour.

For those looking to introduce colour into their lives, Lisa suggests starting simple with the most intimate object. "A cup would be a nice place to start. You don’t have to wear it so you don’t have to look at it [constantly]. You hold it and if you want to let it go, you let it go." Just a small adjustment that recalibrates the mood of a moment.

Beyond functionality, these objects are mediums for time and memory. Lisa and Elliot prioritise longevity, not just of material, but of emotional value. “The capacity of going through generations, as a memory value. Even if it ends up in a flea market, people can still enjoy what it is." Lisa explains. 

The interview concludes on a sentimental note. When asked to name an ideal dinner companion, both founders reflect toward the past. 

Elliot speaks of his grandmother, who came from a traditional background yet remained deeply supportive in his creative journey. "She helped us in all the ways she could. And she always had a precise way of asking questions." he says. “I think there’s also an element of intimacy, she saw me growing up and she knew me very well so she also knows what triggers and things probably are not going to be so comfortable. She really pushed the boundaries and it was super interesting.“

Lisa thinks of her uncle, a self-made businessman in the leather industry who became a ceramicist later in life. He understood both the manufacturing and the creative side of things. "He never knew I became a ceramicist too," she says. "We still use one of his kilns in the studio. I think it would be nice to talk to him about all these and show him what we do."

These unfinished conversations are kept alive, in a sense, through the work they make today.

From Brussels to Taipei, Lisa and Elliot prove that ceramics is less about pursuing technical perfection and more the joy of coexisting with the unexpected. The spirit of Frizbee Ceramics serves as a poignant reminder to stay curious; for within those unintentional moments, there is usually a wonderful surprise waiting to be found.

Image Credit: Frizbee Ceramics