Carrie Lau has had many sources of inspiration, and special items produced for her when she was younger are among the most meaningful. “My mom sewed my high school uniforms with little touches of traditional Chinese style, and my aunt made me tote bags and backpacks out of Sanrio fabric – I still have them in my closet,” she says. “At the time I didn’t realize how much it moved me, but those memories of their craftsmanship have continued to motivate my creativity.”
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Lau eventually settled in Los Angeles. A friend introduced her to ceramics, and she fell in love with it. She was drawn to the hands-on process of molding clay, which also doubles as a meditative practice for her in today’s hectic world.
Carrie Lau \\\ Photo: Mark Schlosser
Lau was content to make pieces for herself or associates as a hobby, but the work turned out to be a hit. People wanted to display these one-of-a-kind objects in their homes, give them as gifts, or select favorites and build a collection. She joined a craft market to keep the momentum going, and her passion evolved into a career.
Lau founded Object-Matter (O-M) in 2016, and as a versatile artist, she is also known for her paintings, home textiles, and sculptures in addition to her O-M Ceramic pottery. She remains ever-curious about various elements and how they interact, adjusting them to align with a particular concept.
No matter which project she takes on, Lau strives to embrace something new. “I may play with different mediums to see where they take me,” she notes. “Often I have a vision and want to achieve a certain look I haven’t tried before, so I’ll keep exploring until I find it.”
Today, Carrie Lau joins us for Friday Five!
Photo: Carrie Lau
1. Mochi
Mochi makes me so happy. It’s a cultural snack that reminds me of New Year celebrations, when I would make it with my family. It’s chewy and sweet, and it brings me back to those moments of being together.
Photo: Carrie Lau
2. Camping
Camping with friends is one of my favorite ways to reset. Each trip feels different, but always full of moments that stay with me – hiking up Jumbo Rock, walking the cliffs of Big Sur, finding creeks and lakes, or watching the sun set into the ocean. I love cooking food together, sitting by the fire, stargazing, and listening to the quiet of the woods. It’s simple and grounding, and it reminds me to slow down, notice the details, and feel connected.
Photo: Jones Tam
3. Travel & Snaps
Travel has always been one of my greatest inspirations. Every trip leaves me with fragments – colors on a wall, the sound of the sea, light on mountains, or even a simple meal. I take snaps along the way, often of small details and textures, and later I find new sparks of inspiration in them – sometimes even the beginning of a painting or ceramic form.
Photo: Mark Schlosser
4. My Beloved Fur Baby, Bowl
My dog Bowl passed away in 2024, but she will always be one of my greatest sources of love and inspiration. The time we spent together – walking, playing, or simply being – brought me so much joy and comfort. Remembering her reminds me to stay present, appreciate the small moments, and hold onto love even in its quietest forms.
Photo: Carrie Lau
5. Simple Rituals
Coffee, matcha, boba tea – the little drinks that feel like big comforts. These simple rituals give me a pause in the day, a moment to breathe and notice what’s around me. They reset me and bring a sense of calm that carries into my work.
Works by Carrie Lau and Objects-Matter (O-M):
Photo: Carrie Lau
Form and Flora — an installation pop-up at Slowdown Studio in Los Angeles, 2022. The work explored vases and sculptural forms through playful combinations of glaze, color, and texture. Each piece became an experiment in form and surface, celebrating the organic connections between shape and flora.
Photo: Carrie Lau
Photo: Carrie Lau
A collection of hand-painted mugs, each one completely handmade and unique. The designs are signature yet ever-changing, turning an everyday object into a small piece of art.
Photo: Cory Foote \\\ Art Direction & Styling: Limonata Creative
A collaboration with interior designer Darlene Monlar – These sculptural coffee tables blur the line between function and art. Each custom design explores scale and form in pairs, and will officially launch later this year.
Photo: Cory Foote \\\ Art Direction & Styling: Limonata Creative
Photo: Carrie Lau
A series of wall-hanging knots and objects with printed patterns – Their organic, playful forms grew out of curiosity – exploring how shape, texture, and rhythm can live on the wall like sculpture.
Photo: Carrie Lau
Photo: Carrie Lau
Photo: Carrie Lau
Wander in the Park Wool Rug – Inspired by time spent in nature, the design plays with shapes, color, and interaction. Each rug is hand-woven and hand-dyed in Jaipur, India, in collaboration with local artisans who focus on craft and quality.
