Malwina Konopacka – designer and illustrator, author of the ceramic collection OKO.
Born in 1982 in Warsaw, she studied Industrial Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and Illustration at the Universität der Künste in Berlin. She collaborated with the press as an illustrator, and it was her passion for illustration that gave rise to the first OKO vases – the artist wanted to explore how drawing would function in the three-dimensional world of everyday objects.

The first object from the OKO family was created in 2014, and since then, the collection has been continuously expanding. In 2023, the OKO/Design line debuted, featuring tableware items such as the UCHO mug, the WIT mug, and the JULA egg cup.

All objects designed by Malwina Konopacka are handcrafted and hand-painted in collaboration with skilled artisans and technologists.

OKO often serves as a starting point for artistic and sculptural explorations. Her modular totems, such as MAMA (2019), TULĄCA MAMA (2020), FORMY (2020), and the installation FONTANNA (2019), are pieces that blur the line between visual arts and design.

Malwina Konopacka’s ceramic works are part of numerous private collections as well as the design collection of the National Museum in Kraków. They are also regularly presented at exhibitions in Poland and abroad.

In September 2024, the artist celebrated the tenth anniversary of the OKO vase, which launched a series of ceramic designs – vases, trays, bowls, mugs, and home accessories that the designer refers to as the OKO family. Between 2014 and 2024, 20 objects were created, linked by recurring details appearing in various forms – such as a ball, a pretzel, or a wave.

The OKO family consists of vases OKO / 2014, Teresa / 2018, Nana / 2018, Krystal / 2018, Irena / 2019, Miki / 2020 and Aniela / 2018 plates. Items are made and painted by hand in collaboration with skilled craftsmen and technologists. OKO is also the starting point for artistic and sculptural endeavors. The modular totem Mama / 2019 or the installation Fountain / 2019 are forms at the intersection of visual arts and design.

The ANNA vase (below)

The Anna vase marks the beginning of a new decade in Malwina Konopacka’s creative journey. The ANNA vase is as tall as the classic OKO but more delicate in shape. Its organic indentations evoke the calm of sea waves and the refinement of Italian sculpture.

In the ANNA vase, the wave motif takes on a new dimension, giving an unexpected shape to the classic OKO form. The monochromatic ecru – the signature color of the ANNA vase – accentuates its sculptural qualities.
h. 42 cm / ø 19 cm

The Irena Circus vase (below) has a spherical shape topped with a narrow neck. IRENA's rounded form beautifully showcases any flowers and delights with its simple, balanced design.

In the Circus edition, IRENA gained playful handles—ears shaped like the pretzel known from other objects in the collection.

h. 25 cm / ø: 20 cm