Jan Ernst de Wet

Jan Ernst de Wet's organic designs stem from his abstract understanding of form and space influenced by his background in architecture, his connection with the natural world, and his South African heritage.

Jan Ernst is a multidisciplinary designer specializing in functional art and spatial design using clay as his main medium. The work is driven by his fascination with natural structures such as corals, fungi, and rock formations. The organic nature of the work aims to make the viewer wonder about personal transformation, shifting ways of thinking and how we all must adapt during uncertain times.

The ‘Flux’ collection of ceramic lamps and smaller objects developed for Mia Karlova Galerie is inspired by the transformative qualities of copepods. These water creatures are best observed under the microscope and go through radical metamorphisms during their life cycles. When you look at the water you see invisible creatures dancing. They are fascinating as they are able to transform quite rapidly and adapt to different environments. Wherever you place them – they adapt to the given surroundings.

“I started researching them because of their form and adaptivity. The form is impressive, as they wear skeleton on the outside, and it looks almost like arms and a shield. They possess an ability to adapt and transform. Ocean is my true love and the place where I choose to spend a lot of time looking at the water and seeing these amazing creatures dancing” – Jan Ernst

Inside the Strongest Colours: Black and White

19 Sep - 31 Oct 2024

Taking part of GLUE Amsterdam's Design Event, this exhibition is an examination of the nuanced interplay of light and shadow, their dynamic tension, and the serene harmony that black and white bring to artistic creation.

GLUE Amsterdam 2022

15 - 17 Sep 2022

Mia Karlova Galerie exhibition for GLUE Amsterdam, exhibiting Sho Ota, Femke van Gemert, Vadim Kibardin, Olga Engel, Valery Pchelin, Jesse Visser, Françoise Jeffrey, Olesya and Andriy Voznicki and Jan Ernst de Wet.