Artist Yoshiko Yamamoto is a self-taught block printmaker who strives always to fuse Japanese design sensibility with fine craftsmanship. Several years ago, Nawal Motawi, a longtime admirer of Yoshiko’s work, approached her for a collaboration. Motawi thought Yamamoto’s bold prints would work well as a raised-line tile design. She was
6×8 Panda Panda is based on a T-shirt design (and later a print) by Charley Harper. This sweet homage to panda parenthood is part of our extensive Charley Harper by Motawi line. Motawi tiles are striking art pieces and installation accents. Each tile is made by hand and with heart
Artist Yoshiko Yamamoto is a self-taught block printmaker who strives always to fuse Japanese design sensibility with fine craftsmanship. Several years ago, Nawal Motawi, a longtime admirer of Yoshiko’s work, approached her for a collaboration. Motawi thought Yamamoto’s bold prints would work well as a raised-line tile design. She was
“We heard the lonely cry of the loon, one of the wildest and most striking of all the wilderness sounds, a strange, sad, mournful, unearthly cry, half laughing, half wailing.” – John Muir A group of loons can be called a “cry,” maybe for their plaintive call. Actual Tile Size:
Stylizing such an intricate flower as an iris proved tricky. Nawal Motawi mingled visual cues from multiple Arts & Crafts-period renderings to arrive at this design. Like the flower, Motawi’s iris is more declarative than demure. Actual Tile Size: Approximately 3 7/8” x 7 7/8”. As each Motawi tile is
“A red-headed woodpecker really knows how to use its head.” Charley Harper (from Harper’s Headbanger print). Mid-century modern meets Motawi mastery in these tiles based on the work of celebrated wildlife artist Charley Harper (1922-2007), a self-described “minimal realist.” Actual Tile Size: Approximately 3 7/8” x 7 7/8”. As each
6×8 Vienna Woods is based on Carl Otto Czeschka’s “Waldidyll (Forest Idyll),” originally created as a textile design and produced by Vienna’s renowned Wiener Werkstätte artist community circa 1910. Long before it inspired a Motawi tile, this work of art was worn as a caftan by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt.
Cheery 4×8 Primrose is based on an art nouveau tile design Nawal Motawi discovered in a book. Nawal experimented with many iterations before arriving at this pared-down version with an Arts and Crafts vibe. Motawi tiles are striking art pieces and installation accents. Each tile is made by hand and
4×4 Square Flowers is one example of the wealth of inspiration Nawal Motawi finds among works once featured in Keramic Studio magazine. This design by Carrie Hetlage is a fitting follow-up to Motawi Tileworks’ 4×4 Round Flowers art tile. Actual Tile Size: Approximately 3 7/8” x 3 7/8”. As each
This design was inspired by a tiny design of a tiny bit of peacock feather on an Arts & Crafts-period vase. Nawal Motawi found that little hint of an idea irresistible, and this beloved tile is the result. Actual Tile Size: Approximately 3 7/8” x 7 7/8”. As each Motawi