Bold black forms command the surface of these naturally glazed decorative platters, creating striking compositions that negotiate between geometric modernism, non-Western artistic traditions and natural morphology. They exemplify a wide range of inspiration, as well as a deft ability to marry the skill of traditional craft with fine art creativity - something that the studio has become known for. When viewed in series, the platters create a compelling dialectic, though each piece maintains its autonomy as a singular artistic statement. All pieces are handcrafted using earthenware techniques, cast from original molds dating from the birth of the studio.

About Atelier Buffile

We visited the father and son team of Vincent and Romain Buffile at their studio earlier this year. While their work had caught our eye online, nothing could have prepared us for seeing their wide ranging pieces in person. The Buffile legacy began in 1945 when Léonie and Jean established their Aix-en-Provence workshop. Their son Vincent, following studies at Beaux-Arts d'Aix en Provence alongside notable ceramicists like George Jouve and René Ben-Lisa, joined the atelier in 1984 after teaching at École de Céramique de Provence. Today, Vincent's son Romain brings contemporary vision to their heritage.

Q&A with Atelier Buffile

1. Atelier Buffile has been around for three generations. Can you tell us about how each generation joined the studio and what its ethos is today?

The Buffile workshop has been in existence since 1945, with three generations having flourished, and the fourth is already beginning to make its mark—little Marius, who is 7 years old, has already received his first order and even participated in an exhibition! The founder of the workshop, Léonie, began working in ceramics to assist her sister, a sculptor. She developed a range of tableware, while her husband, Jean, brought an artistic and decorative touch to the work. For us, the workshop has always been the heart of family life, with each generation learning the craft organically by simply spending time there.

Our ethos is to adapt traditional forms (created by the first generation between the 1950s and 1970s) to the aesthetics of each new generation, while maintaining a modernized Mediterranean aesthetic.

2. What’s it like working alongside your father/son, and how do each of you contribute your unique perspective to the studio?

The father/son dynamic is highly complementary. Vincent approaches projects with spontaneity and skill, while Romain brings thoughtful foresight and meticulous attention to detail in everything he does. Each generation contributes an aesthetic that corresponds to its era.

3. What inspires your designs in general, and what can you tell us about the motifs on the black-and-white “Seed” platters currently on view at PORTA?

Our inspirations primarily come from primitive art, nature, and numerous collaborations with artists, as well as visits to exhibitions and museums. The "Seeds" collection, for instance, is the result of a collaboration with a Michelin-starred chef who works closely with his garden.

4. With such a rich history of ceramics in the South of France, how would you describe the current artistic landscape there, and where do you see yourselves within it?

The history of ceramics in Provence, up until the mid-20th century, was primarily focused on tableware and building-related ceramics (such as tiles). However, with the arrival of artists like Picasso, Matisse, and others, ceramics evolved into an art form in Provence, particularly within the decorative arts. Over the past two decades, many large industries have closed, giving way to small, individual workshops, each with its own identity. This trend has become even more pronounced post-Covid. We consider ourselves modest craftsmen, like many others working today.

Their work has been featured in architectural projects throughout France and beyond and the studio has collaborated with with some of France's finest houses, including the porcelain company Bernardaud and the wallpaper and textile house Maison Pierre Frey as well as internationally recognised greats such as Bergdorf Goodman, India Mahdavi, Philippe Starck, and Stephane Parmentier.

We invite you to discover Atelier Buffile at PORTA, where three generations of ceramic craft come together in this special exhibition.

About ART360

Art360 is an ongoing series in our 360 Atlantic Avenue space that showcases the work of artists that we love and want to celebrate. Informed by the past, speaking to the future and placing you in the present, art in your home is more than decoration - it frames and reflects who you are within that. Through ART360 we are excited to present artists that have both the aesthetic strength and the conceptual depth to ground their work in continued relevance and ongoing interest.