Onka Allmayer-Beck
Onka Allmayer-Beck is a ceramic artist born in Vienna in 1979, where she currently also lives. In 2004, she graduated from the renowned Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design at the University of the Arts London with a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design Womenswear. In 2013, she decided to stop working in fashion to become a freelancer.
That is when she started painting on clay plates and bowls, so ceramics quickly became her main interest. She then found a master who tought her everything about clay and pottery and she boughts herself a pottery wheel and a kiln to create her own ceramics. She further deepened her knowledge about creating ceramics in Russia, where she was introduced to the slab-building technique, a technique she still applies today.
In 2015, she moved back to Vienna to focus on her passion for clay. Soon, Onka developed her own signature style and her ceramic objects started to come alive as little personas. Her creations are dynamic and have a huge recognition value. Each one is different, as they are all hand-made. Her products range from objects to centrepieces and vessels. They sometimes turn out to be vases or candleholders, too.
Onka recently has tapped into the gastronomy industry too, creating individual ceramic series for each client.
About the objects
Ceramic n.345
This ceramic piece by Onka Allmayer-Beck features an unconventional, organic form. It is a green, cylindrical vessel with multiple tubular protrusions emerging irregularly from its body, giving the work a playful, sculptural quality. The uneven surface and asymmetrical design emphasize its handcrafted nature.
The vibrant green color and abstract structure evoke both natural and surreal elements. The tubes resemble organic growths or branches, hinting at plant life or microscopic forms. The piece stands at the intersection of function and abstraction, serving as both a vessel and a sculpture.
Its strength lies in its ability to engage the viewer through its unique shape and inviting, matte finish. The work reflects Allmayer-Beck’s playful exploration of form and material, showcasing her skill in creating pieces that blur the line between art and functional objects. This ceramic invites interaction and interpretation, demonstrating the artist’s capacity to craft visually and tactilely intriguing works.
Ceramic
This ceramic work by Onka Allmayer-Beck is a striking lattice-like structure in vibrant green. Composed of interlocking vertical and horizontal beams, the piece forms a cylindrical grid with an organic, hand-formed texture. The glossy surface of the ceramic highlights its sculptural qualities, while the irregular, almost bone-like shapes of the beams evoke natural forms.
The open framework allows light to pass through, creating dynamic shadows and enhancing the interaction between the object and its surrounding space. The contrast between the solid ceramic material and the airy, open structure blurs the line between functional object and abstract sculpture.
This piece reflects Allmayer-Beck’s continued exploration of form, materiality, and the tension between rigidity and organic irregularity. It invites viewers to engage with its spatial qualities while questioning the boundaries between structure and emptiness. Through its minimalistic yet intricate design, the work creates a compelling visual and tactile experience.
