This new encaustic cement tile collection, named Postcards From Myself, is designed by South African artist Ruan Hoffmann, an internationally exhibited painter who uses ceramic as his canvas, and brought to you by clé. Postcards From Myself consists of 25 designs, each hand lithographed on an 8″ square encaustic cement tile. This is the second tile collection by Hoffmann for clé, though the first in the historic tradition of using 4 tiles to complete each pattern.
The collection was inspired by Hoffmann travels around the world. Hoffmann started the design process by painting 6″ x 6″ postcards, each representing a memory from his travels. As he puts it - I live in Paris half the year, and spend several months traveling. These designs represent my connections to the oceans where I have swum, ancient cities I have explored, the shadows and exuberance of animals and plants. Each cement tile is compressed, cured and then hand lithographed in a process that replicates Hoffmann original brushstrokes.
Deborah Osburn, founder and creative director of clé, explains how the tiles are made, we start with the encaustic process of compressing and curing a cement tile in a mold and then we use lithography to essentially capture the spirit of Ruan hand. Lithography allows for a precise rendering of a pattern, and so the finished tile looks hand painted. The process for this collection is a centuries old technique coupled with modern technology.
The tiles on clé are as distinct as the artists who create them. It is Osburn goal to provide a forum for discovery and conversation about what she loves most, tiles created by impassioned artists creating remarkable surfaces. The Postcards From Myself collection is available exclusively on cletile.com
