MOTHER SWEARS BY IT

Nick Dynan (Top:The Long Sleeve Lowdown in Serpent Service) and guests

MOTHER gathered a group of creatives to get crafty with London’s most exclusive ceramicist, Nick Dynan of Me Old China. Flying in for the occasion, our friend from across the pond guided guests through the process of painting his signature “swear jars” – irreverent vases adorned with cuss words in Old English-style typography. Co-founders Lela Becker and Tim Kaeding hosted the event, welcoming 11 of MOTHER’s favorite artists and cultural thinkers, including actress Monet Mazur and writer Evan Nicole Brown.

From left to right: Lela Becker (Top:Lil Goodie Goodie in Bright White), Tim Kaeding, Laura Eckstein Jones (Top:The Raglan Crop Cardigan in Fancy Fade)

Held in a coveted gallery space within Sonia Boyajian Design Studio, the event blended refinement and edge, reflecting the playful duality that connects MOTHER and Me Old China. Giggles and British pop music echoed throughout the space as attendees sipped on rosé, champagne and enjoyed a high tea. A true meeting of minds, the afternoon memorably fused artistry, humor and community – all in the name of a few well-placed expletives.

Nick Dynan (Top:The Long Sleeve Lowdown in Serpent Service) and guests

MOTHER gathered a group of creatives to get crafty with London’s most exclusive ceramicist, Nick Dynan of Me Old China. Flying in for the occasion, our friend from across the pond guided guests through the process of painting his signature “swear jars” – irreverent vases adorned with cuss words in Old English-style typography. Co-founders Lela Becker and Tim Kaeding hosted the event, welcoming 11 of MOTHER’s favorite artists and cultural thinkers, including actress Monet Mazur and writer Evan Nicole Brown.

From left to right: Lela Becker (Top:Lil Goodie Goodie in Bright White), Tim Kaeding, Laura Eckstein Jones (Top:The Raglan Crop Cardigan in Fancy Fade)

Held in a coveted gallery space within Sonia Boyajian Design Studio, the event blended refinement and edge, reflecting the playful duality that connects MOTHER and Me Old China. Giggles and British pop music echoed throughout the space as attendees sipped on rosé, champagne and enjoyed a high tea. A true meeting of minds, the afternoon memorably fused artistry, humor and community – all in the name of a few well-placed expletives.

From left to right: April Uchitel (Top:The Party In The Back Shirt in Let’s Circle Back), Evan Nicole Brown (Top:The Block Rib Tee in Patching Things Up), Nora Zehetner (Top:The Lil Goodie Goodie in Bright White)

Nick Dynan (Top:The Long Sleeve Lowdown in Serpent Service)

You’ve got this whole creative world under your belt—branding, graphic design, photography. What made you feel drawn to ceramics?

After so many years of working in branding and design, I wanted to work on something that was more tangible. That felt more real – not just sending emails all day.

As someone who’s fully self-taught, how has that path shaped the way you create?

I'm not tied down by processes that I could've been taught during university or workshops. I just do what comes naturally to me and I don't follow a specific plan for anything I do.

Who or what most guides your creativity today?

I always have a creative itch that needs scratching, so I'm led by that. What will satisfy that itch the most today?

What sparked the idea for the Swear Jars? Was there a particular moment when it just clicked?

I grew up going to pubs with my family and remember always seeing the old vodka or whisky bottles on the bar with "swear jar" written on them. If someone swore in the bar you'd have to put a pound in the jar.

If you had to fill up the swear jar in your studio, which word would be the biggest contribution?

FUCK SAKE.

Nick Dynan (Top:The Long Sleeve Lowdown in Serpent Service)

How did you land on that distinctive font for your pieces? Was it something that evolved naturally for you?

It's based on several variations of Old English style fonts. Every time I paint a letter it looks slightly different to the last one I painted, which I love. I don’t want them to look like they're printed or properly uniform. I love them looking hand painted and different.

Your Swear Jars series has a kind of joyful rebellion—do you see life through a similar lens?

Ha, I’m not too sure, maybe?

When choosing the words and designs for your work, do you lean into your intuition, or is there a deeper process at play that guides you?

Yeah, I never try to over complicate what I do, I just let it naturally come to me. Once something’s done, I don’t relook at it and see what I could add. An afterthought will always look like an afterthought.

What’s next for you? Any projects that have you feeling especially lit up right now?

I have a big collection coming out with Arsenal Football Club this week and something brewing with a big brand in Paris. Keep ya eyes peeled!