AOAO STUDIO – Alicja Strzyzynska and Onur Iseri
Studio AOAO is an Amsterdam-based interdisciplinary design studio founded in 2020 by Alicja Strzyzynska and Onur Iseri. Working at the intersection of art, sculpture, and collectible design, the duo creates handcrafted pieces that explore the relationship between object, space, and human experience.
Defined by organic forms, tactile surfaces, and a sculptural approach to functionality, AOAO’s work blurs the boundary between furniture and art. Through lighting, objects, and sculptural works, the studio develops pieces that evoke contemplation, emotion, and a deeper connection to materiality.
Rooted in craftsmanship and experimentation, Studio AOAO has developed a distinctive design language characterized by expressive forms, rich textures, and a poetic exploration of the dialogue between the physical and the metaphysical.
Interview
Alicja: Originating from Poland, my journey has taken me across 8 countries throughout my life. This experience has shaped me into feeling more like a citizen of the Earth
Onur: I was born in Izmir, Turkey. Throughout my life, I have moved a lot and lived in Canada & Japan. I am currently living in Netherlands.
Alicja: Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by art, with family members on both sides rooted in the artistic world. My earliest memory dates back to summer days spent at my grandfather’s. As a child, I used to wake up quite early, at a time when the house still slumbered in silence. I would quietly make my way through the house, past the workshop, and into the garden. There, in a small, open-air space, my grandfather would already be engrossed in sculpting. I cherished those moments, watching him work with genuine joy and passion.
Onur: My journey into the realm of art began when I encountered Alicja. As I roamed the globe in search of my ikigai, or life’s purpose, it was through Alicja’s introduction to modern art that I discovered a profound affinity for the vast potential of creative expression. This revelation instantly captivated me, forging a deep and enduring connection with the world of art.
Alicja: From my early years, art has always held a special place in my life, even as I pursued a deep interest in sports and harbored aspirations of becoming a basketball player. In school, I stood out, even as one of the younger students, by taking the lead in projects like the yearbook and bulletin boards. My teenage years were a burst of creative energy, filled with designing clothes, crafting my first lamp and furniture pieces, indulging in poetry, drawing, and frequently rearranging furniture at home. As I embarked on my university journey, interior design was my initial choice. However, my interests took a swift turn towards product design in my first year, leading me to enroll in a design course in my second year to further explore this newfound passion.
Onur: Originating from a foundation in business and marketing, with experience in both marketing and teaching, I reached a point where the constraints on personal expression within these fields became stifling. This realization propelled me toward a more instinctual pursuit in the digital realm, where I embraced the roles of freelance graphic and web designer. Despite this digital foray, there lingered within me an unfulfilled yearning to create tangibly with my hands. It was only when we began to explore sculptural design within our home that I found a profound sense of fulfilment, completing my journey from the structured world of business to the liberating realm of artistic expression.
Alicja: I have spent several years working in Poland, Japan, Turkey and the Netherlands as an Interior Designer. However, ever since my university days, I harbored a dream and a certainty that one day I would run my own design studio. During my university years, I flirted with the idea of delving into sculpture, particularly drawn to conceptual art. Yet, it wasn’t until the end of 2019 that I truly embraced sculpting. That year was particularly challenging for me, as I grappled with a prolonged and intense episode of depression. In this tough phase, sculpting emerged as a form of meditation, bringing tranquility and aiding me in overcoming that dark period in my life. It was then that the idea struck me to merge my design expertise with sculpture. As an interior designer, I realized there was a gap in the availability of sculptural pieces. Looking back, I do have some regrets about not venturing into sculpting sooner, particularly because my grandfather, a skilled sculptor, was no longer around to guide me. Alongside my partner Onur, I navigated a path of trial and error, gradually mastering the intricacies of sculpting on our own.
Onur: From the early years of my childhood, there existed a deep-seated longing to express myself in a manner unmarred by external influences. This desire intertwined with a fascination to connect with the entirety of humanity across ages, through a primal practice that has endured the relentless passage of time. The concept of reaching out to the earliest humans through the medium of art held a mesmerizing attraction for me. This enchantment with the primal, tactile act of creation using one’s hands gradually turned into a profound love, guiding me towards embracing the art of sculpting.
Our creative process is quite chaotic, as are our influences. Our minds are always alert, constantly searching for ideas. It’s hard to switch off our minds. We find inspiration everywhere – in nature, people, philosophical thoughts, historical events, and architectural marvels, but also in the random patterns or shadows on walls and pavements. Whenever an idea hits us, we plunge into research, exploring deeper meanings in everything. This usually leads us into an extensive journey of making logical connections between a wide range of topics, weaving a complex network of ideas. Once we have gathered and organized our thoughts, we begin sketching and creating small models from clay. Working together is a key part of our process. We discuss everything and really enjoy brainstorming together. We first connected in Japan over a design idea, running around Tokyo, planning, and designing some concept. Even though that initial idea didn’t last, it led to evenings filled with discussions about various ideas, concepts, and business ventures. We fell for each other’s minds and have been partners in life and work ever since.
No two days at our studio are the same. As a duo, we adapt to the varying rhythm of our workdays, accompanied by our cat who has a knack for scratching and ‘sculpting’ some of our pieces. We currently handmade all our creations. When we’re dealing with a surge in orders, I shift into a highly organised mode. We tackle each project methodically, completing one order before moving on to the next. During quieter periods, with fewer orders, I, Alicja, often find myself waking up very early, around 4-5 in the morning. These early hours are perfect for researching or developing new ideas. Later, when Onur arrives at the studio, we engage in brainstorming sessions, after which he takes the lead. This balance allows us to continually evolve and create, regardless of the pace.
Initially, we chose to work with gypsum out of impulse, and we instantly fell in love with it. Our journey into clay began much later, yet we developed a deep affection for it as well. Both these materials offer the freedom to bring any vision to life. Our primary goal has been to create pieces that would pose a challenge for machines to replicate, emphasizing the importance and uniqueness of human craftsmanship.
In our creations, we blend various materials such as alabaster plaster, clay, selenite, and soapstone, each chosen for its unique contribution to our sculptural designs. Our creative process begins with detailed sketches on paper, evolving into clay prototypes before moving to full-sized sculptures. We use pneumatic & power tools for carving and shaping. A signature aspect of our style is the careful layering of alabaster plaster, applied in subtly varied tones using small spatulas, crafting a distinctive finish, similar to a painting. For our ceramic pieces, we use a technique of light scratching on surfaces, adding depth and altering perception. Throughout the creation process, we make sure to balance functionality with aesthetic appeal, ensuring that our pieces are not only visually striking but also practically functional. It’s paramount for us to craft these pieces personally, without external assistance, to make sure that each creation is imbued with our vision and personal touch, reflecting a deep connection between us and the created piece.
Alicja: To find yourself in design or art, look it beyond.
Onur: Whatever you make is beautiful, because it is part of you.
We are in the process of creating our own movement.
Alicja: My creative influences are primarily drawn from the art world rather than design, with particular inspiration from modern artists such as Isamu Noguchi, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, and Hans Arp.
Alicja: Max Lamb.
Onur: J McDonald.
Alicja: Ever since my university days, Don Norman has been one of the design thinkers whose philosophy of emotional design has significantly inspired my work.
Onur: I am inspired by the works of Henry Moore and Isamu Noguchi.
Alicja: Connection.
Onur: Intimacy.
Alicja: Make your life and art valuable.
Onur: To all new artists: Be curious and get dirty.
The Questions
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust.
Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde,
Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)
Alicja: Calm.
Onur: Burying my face on a cat’s belly.
Alicja: Humanity.
Onur: Aliens being unfriendly.
Alicja: Impulsivity.
Onur: Being late.
Alicja: Arrogance and indifference.
Onur: Being late.
Alicja: Everyone who tries to make difference.
Onur: Jane Goodall.
Alicja: Pyjamas.
Onur: Haribo.
Alicja: Rollercoaster.
Onur: Calm as I am on ADHD medications.
Alicja: Excessive Positivity.
Onur: Conservatism & Collectivism.
Alicja: I am not in favor of the traditional division of gender roles.
Onur: Well-defined jawline.
Alicja: I am not in favor of the traditional division of gender roles.
Onur: Well-defined jawline.
Alicja: What is happening?
Onur: Tiny Love Marshmallow Cake.
Alicja: Play a cello.
Onur: Being able to talk to cats.
Alicja: Overthinking.
Onur: Executive Dysfunction.
Alicja: Learning to mediate.
Onur: Being a cat daddy.
Alicja: Taylor Swift’s Cat.
Onur: Capybara.
Alicja: Mars.
Onur: Nature.
Alicja: My security blanket.
Onur: Old t-shirts that I cannot throw away.
Alicja: Emptiness.
Onur: Addiction.
Alicja: Musician and Gardener.
Onur: Panda caretaker.
Alicja: Emotionless face.
Onur: My well-defined jawline.
Alicja: Compassionate empathy.
Onur: Being able to sit together and not speak.
Alicja: Julio Cortázar, Daniel Goleman, Bessel van der Kolk.
Onur: J.R.R.Tolkien, Douglas Adams.
Alicja: Sheldon Cooper.
Onur: Randy Marsh.
Alicja: I don’t feel comfortable comparing myself.
Onur: Everyone is unique; identifying yourself will take away your uniqueness.
Alicja: My mom, dad, my partner, Andrew Huberman, and Daniel Fox.
Onur: My partner, Jim Carrey, and Kevin from Shark Tank.
Alicja: Kicia Plicia (our cat’s name).
Onur: Jupiter.
Alicja: Small-talk.
Onur: Loud chewing.
Alicja: Yesterday’s and tomorrow’s chocolate.
Onur: The haircut I got in the eighth grade.
Alicja: Not in pain, please.
Onur: By being released into the vacuum of space.
Alicja: “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.” – Albert Einstein.
Onur: Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
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