- Art & Design
Marjorie Waks is a master of the craft of ceramic art and interior design. Her work, which honours the strength of the natural material terracotta, exudes an almost magical balance between robustness and sophistication, timelessness and modernity. An architect of ceramic art and light, she creates objects that not only fill spaces with light and colour, but also bring the soul of a room to life.
Trained at the prestigious Institut des Arts Appliqués in Paris, Marjorie found her passion for design in the dynamics of her studies and the projects she realised there. Her background in interior architecture gives her work a profound aesthetic structure: every line, shape, and curve contributes to a carefully thought-out composition, in which proportion and balance are central. For her, the creative process often begins with 2D drawings, where she explores form, proportion and harmony before her hands begin working in clay. Her work with chamotte stoneware demonstrates a strong commitment to durability and quality. This clay, which turns a warm, off-white after firing, acts as a canvas that exudes pure beauty in itself. The use of colour in her work is subtle and strategic: only small accent colours such as emerald or sea green are added to create contrast, without disturbing the inherent aesthetic of the stoneware. For Marjorie, this material is so much more than clay, it is a source of life and energy, something she wants to honour and preserve in every work she creates. 
Her style is minimalist and graphic, but at the same time deeply intertwined with culture and history. The primitive beauty of tribal objects and ancient Mayan pieces inspires her, and you can feel those influences reflected in her objects. Shapes like cylinders, circles and domes, with carefully engraved lines and geometric incisions, bring to life a world of imagination. Her vases are reminiscent of medieval towers, while her sculptural mirrors exude a cosmic allure. They are pieces that tell stories, both visual and tactile, inviting you to relive them. The light objects she creates - table lamps and wall lamps - are unique works of art that not only diffuse light, but also add a soft and intimate sense of warmth to the space in which they stand. Through her play with light and shadow, these objects become living elements, adapting to the time of day and the atmosphere of their surroundings. Her work with light and ceramics shows her ability to be an architect of an environment, filling a space not only with objects, but also with energy and emotions.
The use of colour in her work is subtle and strategic: only small accent colours such as emerald green or sea green are added to create contrast
Marjorie only works to order, which gives each piece a particularly exclusive status. Each object that comes out of her studio is unique and handmade, inspired by her own inspirations of the moment. There is a paradox in her working method: she imposes great structure and precision, but ultimately lets the creative process find its own way. ‘I am organised by nature,’ she says, ’but my work imposes its own logic on me.’ The results are objects that, despite their abstract and graphic nature, possess a deep poetry and personal expression. In addition to her aesthetic and technical talents, Marjorie is a source of inspiration through her determination and passion for the craft. Her work and message are imbued with a powerful belief in the possibilities of the creative process. She tells them that nothing is impossible and often reminds her daughters of the value of hard work and perseverance. These lessons of determination and creativity guide not only her work, but also her life, in which she is constantly seeking balance between her career and her family. 
Marjorie Waks' ceramic art is an invitation to contemplate the beauty of the moment, the power of form and material, and the endless possibilities of the creative process. Her works are a tribute to nature, to the human imagination, and to craftsmanship that, generation after generation, continues to evolve. She inspires us all to push boundaries and trust in the power of creativity and imagination. Her story is a wonderful testament to what is possible when you combine passion and talent with discipline and dedication.
Photography by Adel Slimane Fecih
Text by Celien Hemelaer