MIKE SEYMOUR

Mike Seymour is a Vancouver-based artist and designer recognized for his pioneering work that seamlessly integrates craft, architecture, and design. As the founder and creative director of Sfossils, launched in 2024, he explores the complex interplay between form and function, creating pieces that reflect deep social, historical, and cultural contexts. His work is garnering international acclaim.

Seymour’s artistic journey began with a degree in architecture from the University of Manitoba, a choice he describes as “because it’s art, but employable.” However, instead of joining a traditional firm, he pursued his artistic passions, working with metal, glass, ceramics, and notably, lighting. For over a decade, he was a designer for the Vancouver-based lighting company Bocci, specializing in large-scale installations. Simultaneously, he began exploring ceramics for public art pieces, but it wasn't until acquiring his own kiln that his experimentation with glazes intensified, leading to a pivotal realization: “Glazed flaws were way more interesting than the perfected ones.” This "mistake," as he calls it, became a catalyst for innovation, pushing the limits of what his glazes could do, even using them as a kind of ceramic glue.

Central to Mike’s artistic philosophy is this experimental approach that blurs the boundaries of various crafts. His hands-on collaboration with skilled artisans allows him to transcend traditional techniques, enabling materials and processes to play a crucial role in shaping each creation. This method fosters a creative environment where spontaneity and innovation flourish. His vibrant art studio practice embraces exploration in these mediums, culminating in the creation of two public artworks in Vancouver.

Sfossils bridges the world of artistic sculpture with functional objects: ceramic pieces that appear almost translucent, an ideal medium for light itself. His debut design, the dramatic floor-to-ceiling ceramic chandelier "Paean," was installed in the Villa Bagatti Valsecchi at Alcova during Milan Design Week 2024. Conceived as a three-dimensional painting responding to the villa's grand staircase, the chandelier, composed of 96 unique ceramic pendant lights drawn from Mike’s extensive glaze collection—each showcasing captivating cracked surfaces and rich nuances of colour—spanned the entire 14-meter height of the space. Descending nearly to the ground and interacting with the staircase's columns, the chandelier formed a luminous column of light.

The meticulously crafted wooden canopy further enhanced the interplay of light and texture. So impactful was this work that the Fondazione La Versiera 1718 permanently acquired it for the Villa, solidifying Mike's reputation as a visionary artist. His latest launch, "First Light," debuted in Vancouver at designer Daniel Ching’s Untitled studio, building off the textures of the Milan villa but using space in a different way. While the ceramic pieces radiate golden-hued light, Mike emphasizes that Sfossils is not a lighting brand but an experimental art studio.

At Sfossils, every creation embodies rigorous research into craft movements and materials, reflecting Mike's commitment to elevating the discourse around functional objects. His work engages discerning collectors and interior designers with its ability to transform spaces, inviting a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship and narratives embedded in each piece. Mike Seymour redefines the contemporary craft landscape through his visionary perspective, encouraging thoughtful exploration of how art and functionality can coalesce. His creations stand as singular expressions of artistry that enrich any curated collection. Mike is also looking to collaborate with other artists, viewing Sfossils as a long-term exploration where "making the work is the easy part. It’s the narrative and the concept and figuring out how it fits in—that’s the hard part."

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