Leah Kaplan: Sculpting Light and Form in Porcelain
people • ARTISTS
Leah Kaplan’s porcelain vessels evoke a quiet, numinous presence—where light, texture, and form converge in perfect balance. Based in Philadelphia, the artist distills over 30 years of mastery into hand-built works that feel both ethereal and grounded.
Inspired by architecture, nature, and traditional craft, Kaplan employs pinching, coiling, and slab-building techniques to shape pieces that transcend function. Her work has been showcased in juried exhibitions across the U.S., and she serves on the board of The Clay Studio, championing the evolution of contemporary ceramics.
WEBSITE: leahkaplanstudio.com INSTAGRAM: @leahkaplanstudio
Words: designeers
MARCH 2025
DESIGNEERS
Your work explores the relationship between form and space. How did your architectural background shape your approach to ceramics?
Leah Kaplan
I’m drawn to vessel forms and the challenge of balancing interior and exterior spaces. The inside is just as important as the outside—like the back of a woven tapestry, more organic and intuitive. I love the surprise element when viewers look inside my pieces, almost like sharing a secret. My Instagram reels extend this, offering a drone-like descent into my vessels, playing with light and shadow to reveal hidden dimensions. Ultimately, I want people to engage with my work from all angles and in changing light.
DESIGNEERS
Many of your works have a quiet, meditative quality. Do you see your process as a form of mindfulness or reflection?
Leah Kaplan
Some of my more serene-looking pieces are actually intense, requiring precision to avoid collapse. When I succeed, it feels like landing a perfect ten in gymnastics. After a demanding project, I shift to simpler, repetitive techniques like coil-building to give my mind and body a break. As a hand builder, varying my methods prevents strain and keeps the process fresh.
DESIGNEERS
What inspires your forms and textures? Do you draw from nature, architecture, or other influences?
Leah Kaplan
Early on, architecture influenced me—walking through Philadelphia, I noticed how buildings changed with light, which shaped my bottle series into mini cityscapes. Lately, I’m drawn to organic forms—wasp nests, mushroom gills, feathers, shells, and seed pods. Textiles and basketry also inspire me; I love capturing softness and movement in porcelain. Often, inspiration comes from the material itself—I push porcelain’s limits to see what it can do.
DESIGNEERS
You describe clay as a language. If your work could communicate something beyond aesthetics, what would it say?
Leah Kaplan
I aim for a numinous quality, something that sparks curiosity, excitement, or inspiration in others—the same feeling I get when encountering art that moves me.
“Lately, I’m drawn to organic forms—wasp nests, mushroom gills, feathers, shells, and seed pods. Textiles and basketry also inspire me; I love capturing softness and movement in porcelain. ”
Leah Kaplan
DESIGNEERS
Your early work had colour, but now you work exclusively in white. How did that evolution happen?
Leah Kaplan
It was gradual, then sudden. For years, I used shared studios, adapting to available materials. My first mentor introduced me to vibrant, coloured clays, and I used Japanese techniques like neriage and nerikomi. But after decades of moving, I craved stability. In 2018, I finally set up my own studio, simplifying my practice. Limiting myself to white porcelain deepened my exploration of texture and translucency. Constraints fuel my creativity. That said, I love colour—I may return to it one day.
DESIGNEERS
If you could collaborate with any designer, artist, or brand, who would it be?
Leah Kaplan
I’d love to explore lighting design. Lisa Perry of Onna House has been a dream curator—her minimalist yet warm aesthetic is an ideal backdrop for my work.
DESIGNEERS
Is there a piece or collection that best represents your artistic voice?
Leah Kaplan
My favorite pieces emerge from "a-ha" moments—breakthroughs after trial and error. Each series evolves from one of these discoveries
DESIGNEERS
Do you have a daily creative ritual, or is your process more intuitive?
Leah Kaplan
I’m highly routinized. My daily five-mile walk to the studio is non-negotiable, it resets me and sparks ideas. I also take photos along the way, which feeds my creative process.
DESIGNEERS
What’s next for you—any upcoming projects, exhibitions, or new directions you’re excited to explore?
Leah Kaplan
I’m in the process of expanding into a larger studio—an exciting next step!
