Collection: Simon Manoha

Simon Manoha, born in 1987 in Guilherand Granges, Ardèche, France, has established his workshop in the heart of his ancestral land. His artistic journey began with studies in improvised music and contemporary philosophy at the Sorbonne in Paris, before he returned to his early interest in photography, inspired by his uncle, a potter. This blend of influences and childhood memories ultimately led him back to pottery.  

Fascinated by the material, he began collecting and studying local clays, eventually mastering the sculptural techniques of Tama-Zukuri and Kurinuki.

Simon creates each piece by hollowing out solid clay, a meticulous process taking up to 60 times longer than traditional pottery. His unique enamels and engobes are crafted from materials harvested around his home. The pieces are fired in a large wood-fired Anagama kiln, producing a natural enamel influenced by the specific soil and wood used. He fires only once a year, continuously for a week, to achieve distinctive results.

His work embodies a deep connection to the substance of things, shaped by his background in philosophy, music, and photography.