Opening a ceramics studio was never part of the plan for Sinikka Harms. The Hamburg native studied ethnology and history at the University of Hamburg, and initially pursued an academic path. Yet after completing her master's thesis, she discovered her true calling lay in working with her hands. A pottery course at the adult education center—inspired by her boyfriend's passion for wood-fired ceramics—proved to be the turning point that would change her direction entirely.

Since 2016, Sinikka Harms has worked full-time as a ceramicist. After sharing a Hamburg studio for eighteen months, she relocated to the Lüneburg Heath in 2017, where she continues to live and create. Her studio produces functional ceramics—plates, mugs, and bowls in varied forms and sizes, all handcrafted according to her own designs. Natural tones form the foundation of her palette, frequently accented with turquoise blue, her signature color. For some pieces, she lets the material speak for itself, employing a transparent matte stoneware glaze that emphasizes the clay's inherent character. Every color is thoughtfully calibrated, allowing pieces to work harmoniously together. Beyond her own practice, Sinikka regularly teaches hand-building and wheel-throwing courses for both beginners and experienced ceramicists, inviting others to discover the tactile pleasure of clay and the meditative rhythm of the potter's wheel.

www.sinikkaharms.de

Photography Credits:

Tina Kami
Nina Struve
www.ninastruve.de

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 02|23)