Earlier this August, we had the privilege of traveling to Vallauris, in the South of France, to spend time with Olivia Cogent - a ceramist artist we are honoured to represent at SALT. Her atelier and showroom offered not only a beautiful setting but also a rare opportunity to witness the daily rhythm of her creative world.
Walking into the atelier felt like entering a living, breathing organism. The space was alive with texture and movement; freshly thrown clay drying on wooden boards, pigments waiting to be transformed into glazes, and shelves lined with half-finished works, each carrying the quiet promise of transformation.
Olivia and her team work with an extraordinary balance of precision and intuition. From shaping raw clay on the wheel to layering glazes and firing pieces in the kiln, every step reflects both craftsmanship and experimentation. Observing her process up close was a reminder that ceramics is as much about patience and resilience as it is about artistry - a dialogue between material, maker, and fire.
Stepping from the workshop into Olivia’s showroom felt like moving from process to poetry. The space is designed to showcase her pieces in conversation with one another - vessels, lighting, and sculptural forms arranged in soft natural light. Each piece carried its own presence, yet together they created a collection that felt harmonious, grounded, and distinctly her own.
The showroom revealed another layer of Olivia’s artistry: her ability to shape environments where objects are not just displayed but experienced. Visitors are invited to pause, to touch, and to see the dialogue between function and beauty, tradition and innovation.
As we left Vallauris, we carried with us more than memories of a visit. We left with a renewed
appreciation for the quiet brilliance of Olivia’s practice and the unique role she plays in today’s ceramic landscape. Her pieces are not simply objects to admire, but invitations to slow down,
reflect, and connect.
At SALT, we are committed to working with artists whose vision and practice resonate deeply with our ethos. Olivia embodies this in every way. Her work is rooted in craft yet continually pushes the boundaries of form and expression. She and her team balance discipline with
curiosity, resulting in collections that are timeless yet distinctly contemporary.
Representing Olivia is not only about showcasing her ceramics - it is about sharing her story, her philosophy, and her devotion to a craft that demands both artistry and humility. Our time with her reaffirmed why her work belongs at SALT: it speaks to beauty, authenticity, and the power of the handmade.
Walking into the atelier felt like entering a living, breathing organism. The space was alive with texture and movement; freshly thrown clay drying on wooden boards, pigments waiting to be transformed into glazes, and shelves lined with half-finished works, each carrying the quiet promise of transformation.
Olivia and her team work with an extraordinary balance of precision and intuition. From shaping raw clay on the wheel to layering glazes and firing pieces in the kiln, every step reflects both craftsmanship and experimentation. Observing her process up close was a reminder that ceramics is as much about patience and resilience as it is about artistry - a dialogue between material, maker, and fire.
Stepping from the workshop into Olivia’s showroom felt like moving from process to poetry. The space is designed to showcase her pieces in conversation with one another - vessels, lighting, and sculptural forms arranged in soft natural light. Each piece carried its own presence, yet together they created a collection that felt harmonious, grounded, and distinctly her own.
The showroom revealed another layer of Olivia’s artistry: her ability to shape environments where objects are not just displayed but experienced. Visitors are invited to pause, to touch, and to see the dialogue between function and beauty, tradition and innovation.
As we left Vallauris, we carried with us more than memories of a visit. We left with a renewed
appreciation for the quiet brilliance of Olivia’s practice and the unique role she plays in today’s ceramic landscape. Her pieces are not simply objects to admire, but invitations to slow down,
reflect, and connect.
At SALT, we are committed to working with artists whose vision and practice resonate deeply with our ethos. Olivia embodies this in every way. Her work is rooted in craft yet continually pushes the boundaries of form and expression. She and her team balance discipline with
curiosity, resulting in collections that are timeless yet distinctly contemporary.
Representing Olivia is not only about showcasing her ceramics - it is about sharing her story, her philosophy, and her devotion to a craft that demands both artistry and humility. Our time with her reaffirmed why her work belongs at SALT: it speaks to beauty, authenticity, and the power of the handmade.
