Gemma Orkin - Art and Craftsmanship

There’s an undeniable charm to Gemma Orkin ceramics, the kind that instantly makes a space feel warmer, more personal, more loved. Based in Cape Town, Gemma Orkin has spent over twenty years shaping clay into something quietly extraordinary. Trained in fine arts with a focus on printmaking, her background reveals itself in every brushstroke and line. Each piece she creates carries her artistic sensibility, hand-painted scenes of birds perched on branches or bright blooms rendered in joyful color.

 

At Clic, our collection of handmade ceramics by Gemma Orkin captures the spirit of her studio: vibrant, whimsical, and deeply rooted in craftsmanship. These are modern handmade ceramics that balance simplicity and detail, each vase, platter, and dish shaped and painted entirely by hand. There’s a tenderness in her process that translates beautifully to the finished pieces, making them perfect for both everyday use and display.

 

The collection we carry is full of life. Pale pink, soft blue, and fresh green ceramics come alive with delicate illustrations of flowers and birds. In one of our favorite groupings, yellow songbirds perch on branches, surrounded by gentle pastels that make the designs feel light and uplifting. Each hand-painted ceramic tells its own small story, joyful and serene, as if you’ve captured a moment of nature and brought it indoors.

 

The floral pieces, too, bring the outside in. Tall vases in sage green and cream feature Gemma’s signature blooms, hydrangeas, lilies, and star-shaped flowers painted in her distinct, graphic style. They make stunning decorative ceramic vases on their own, but when filled with fresh flowers, they become even more alive, radiating color and warmth into the room. The slight irregularity of each curve and brushstroke reminds you that these are the results of true artisan pottery, shaped by hand, never mass-produced.

 

For the kitchen, Gemma’s handmade kitchen ceramics add a cheerful touch. Her dishes, hand painted with all types of dogs, from golden doodles to Dachshunds and Labradors. These dishes and platters can easily double as handmade plateware or utensil holders, transforming even the simplest meal or gathering into something special. There’s an ease and practicality to her work, it’s art you can live with, and that’s exactly what makes it so timeless.

 

Gemma’s handmade gifts for home also make thoughtful presents. Each piece feels personal, the kind of gift that holds meaning because it was made with care. The designs are playful yet sophisticated, blending natural motifs with modern color palettes, making them perfect additions to any home, from minimalist spaces to cozy cottages.

 

What we love most about Gemma Orkin ceramics is how they blend joy and function so seamlessly. Whether placed on a kitchen shelf, set as a centerpiece, or simply holding a few flowers, they bring artistry to everyday living. Her work reminds us that beauty doesn’t have to be loud or perfect, it can be quiet, hand-shaped, and full of soul.

 

At Clic, we’re drawn to artists who create with intention, and Gemma Orkin embodies that fully. Her handmade ceramics are more than objects; they’re keepsakes of a slower way of living, where every brushstroke and every imperfection tells a story of time, touch, and care.