Hazal Azeri’s work is deeply rooted in the intersections of object biographies and human biographies. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences and early encounters with artefacts, she explores themes of continuity, change, and transformation. Azeri’s ceramics reflect the reciprocal relationship between humans and their material world; how we shape objects, and how they, in turn, shape us.
She primarily works with one of the oldest hand-building techniques: coiling. This technique allows her to connect her practice to ancient traditions, while reinterpreting them within a contemporary context. The pieces are fired either at low (1050°C) or high temperatures (1240°C), a process that not only strengthens the clay but also imparts a quiet, timeless presence to each work. At times, surfaces are adorned in ways that echo expressions of identity, like fabrics, embellishments, and ornaments on the body, using ornamentation as a visual language to convey both personal and cultural narratives.
Azeri creates unique semi-functional and non-functional pieces. Their forms are inspired by both prehistoric and contemporary communities of Southwest Asia, paying homage to the region’s layered cultural heritage. Her practice is also rooted in domestic life, drawing inspiration from everyday household objects, especially those cherished by the women in her family, anchoring her work in memory and lived experience.
Clay, with its enduring presence across millennia, embodies human agency. It holds gestures, interactions, and stories that outlive the maker’s hand. Each piece becomes a vessel of memory; bridging past and present, material and identity. And now, they wait to build new memories with those who will live alongside them.
Commissions are welcome.