Being the first-gen American of a Turkish woodworker, I was raised in a design-rich environment that has influenced who I am and my current body of ceramic work. Geometry, texture, play, symbolism, color, and the functionality of my work emanates from this artistic environment. I draw upon my cultural heritage to bring a unique, imaginative sensibility to my work. My pieces largely feature a combination of collage, drawing, and illustration to create a cultural visual language specific to my personal life. Combining vibrant colors and diverse textures to create pieces that are both eye-catching and practical I aim to create pieces that evoke emotion, nostalgia, and sense of playfulness directed through the color palette and textural surfaces.
Didem Mert (she/they) was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH. Mert received their BFA (ceramics) from Northern Kentucky University in 2014 and MFA (ceramics) from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2017. Mert has exhibited nationally in places such as The Clay Studio, AKAR, The Archie Bray Gallery, The Erie Art Museum, and over forty other venues. Didem’s work was published in Ceramics Monthly’s 2014 Undergraduate Showcase. Mert was awarded a first prize grant through the Three Arts Foundation in 2014. They were featured on the cover of Pottery Making Illustrated’s January/February 2016 issue. Mert was included on C File’s list of 15 Potters to Watch in 2016 and was featured on Architectural Digest’s 10 Ceramic Artists Giving Pottery A Modern Update. Mert led a residency at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts during the summer of 2017. They were honored as one of Ceramics Monthly’s Emerging Artists of 2018. Mert was a summer resident at the Archie Bray Foundation in 2018. Didem currently lives in Sebastopol, CA and works as a full-time studio potter and workshop instructor.
