Our story
Swawole Atelier is the creative world of Paulina Puciłowska, an architect by training and a ceramicist by passion. With over 15 years of hands-on experience in ceramics, Paulina is the artistic force and visionary behind the brand. Her journey into clay began as a self-taught exploration and has since evolved into a deeply personal and expressive craft. Drawing on her architectural background, Paulina manufactures ceramic works that are both sculptural and functional. She also creates one-of-a-kind pieces - some that gently push the limits of gravity - and unique tableware that brings a thoughtful, elevated touch to everyday dining.
We are a collaborative venture, co-founded by Paulina and her husband, Maciej Gerszewski - also a trained architect. Together, they form a thoughtful balance of creativity and structure. While Paulina leads the artistic direction, Maciej supports the atelier’s daily operations, managing the studio and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. His architectural sensibility also finds expression in prototyping and technical problem-solving, allowing him to contribute creatively to the whole design process.
In addition to Swawole Atelier, Paulina and Maciej are the founders of Chamotte, a successful Community Pottery Studio in Hamburg. With Chamotte, they’ve created an open and welcoming space for the city’s growing pottery community where they offer members of the studio the opportunity to work independently and cultivate their own ceramic practices in a shared environment.
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RESTAURANTS & PARTNERS
Swawole Atelier is proud to collaborate with a growing community of cafés, restaurants, and concept stores that share a love for craftsmanship and detail. Among our partners are some of the finest culinary destinations, including Michelin-starred restaurants, where every detail matters — from the plate to the presentation.
At Swawole Atelier, we specialize in creating unique, tailor-made ceramics that elevate the dining experience and complement the vision of each chef and interior designer. Each piece, handcrafted by Paulina, is a testament to the value of artisanal work and a deep understanding of form, texture, and storytelling. These collaborations are more than partnerships - they are creative dialogues built on shared values of quality, aesthetics, and authenticity.
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Brand values
FREEDOM OF EXPERIMENTATION
We believe that creativity thrives when there are no rigid rules, or when we explore the capacity of the project’s constraints. Our experience as architects and product designers influenced our design process - it embraces exploration, allowing ideas to evolve through play, curiosity, and material discovery, within the given brackets. Every imperfection becomes a story, and every experiment – a step toward something truly original.
Brand values
FINDING JOY IN THE UNEXPECTED
Working with clay teaches you to appreciate surprise. We welcome the unpredictable moments that arise in the process – shapes that shift, colors that change, and results that defy plans. That’s where the real magic and joy of making begins. The whole adventure with pottery started as a way of therapeutical unlashing and our everyday aim is to sustain that value on the first place. Swawole means frolics and that’s what it’s all about.
Brand values
TIMELESS BEAUTY IN GOOD DESIGN
For us, beauty lies in balance – between functionality, sustainability, and emotion. We aim to create pieces that feel both modern and lasting, objects that serve their purpose while carrying a quiet sense of harmony and grace. We never rest in pursuit for the perfect proportions, ideal thickness, outstanding colors and intriguing patterns and textures. All those characteristics join up to create a consistent, enjoyable final result.
EXHIBItiONS
SWAWOLE ATELIER’s ceramics have been shown in a variety of curated exhibitions, bringing Paulina Puciłowska’s sculptural forms into conversation with contemporary art and design. Below, explore the venues and installations where her work has been presented.
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During the official opening of Design Market 2024 at the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg, Paulina’s ceramic sculptures adorned the banquet hall, bringing a unique atmosphere of craftsmanship and artistry into the heart of the event. The opening banquet itself was curated by Aroma Collective, offering a fine dining experience that perfectly complemented the setting.
Paulina Puciłowska, in cloose cooperation with Aroma Collective, created a set of bespoke tableware for the banquet which served as central setting of this culinary experience.
The presence of Swawole’s works at the inauguration of such a prestigious occasion highlighted the integration of functional design within public spaces and the appreciation of handmade objects as part of contemporary material culture.
Exhibiting the sculptures and tableware in this setting offered a rare opportunity to engage with a sophisticated audience and to experience the pieces in dialogue with the museum’s architecture, the curatorial framework of the Design Market, and the culinary artistry of Aroma Collective.
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In 2022, Flow Art House Gallery in Warsaw hosted the joint exhibition of Paulina Puciłowska (Swawole) and Gabriela Strama, presenting their collaborative project Girls. The series combined Paulina’s meticulously developed slip-cast forms – mugs, bowls, and vases – with Gabi’s bold graphic decorations inspired by the Renaissance sgraffito technique.
The exhibition featured seven large vases alongside smaller objects such as cups, plates, and vessels, each merging sculptural form with expressive surface design. This dialogue between structure and ornament, tradition and reinterpretation, highlighted the individuality of both artists while uniting their visions into one coherent collection.
The show became a celebration of female presence in art, craftsmanship, and design, offering viewers a narrative that was both contemporary and deeply rooted in material experimentation.
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In 2017 Paulina was honored to present her Coffee-Making Set (Ritual) as part of the exhibition “Rzeczy. Material Culture” at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. This show gathered over 500 objects by students, graduates, and anonymous authors, reflecting on the deeper significance of everyday things in material culture.
Participating in this exhibition reinforced her dedication to meaningful design and the expressive power of crafted objects.
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In 2017 we had the privilege to present our work at Anima Mundi Festival – “Visions” in Venice, held at Palazzo Ca’ Zanardi between September 14 and November 26, during the 57th Venice Biennale.
The exhibition featured 174 artists from 42 countries and encompassed painting, photography, installation, video and performance art.Participating in this inspiring international event deepened our connection to the global creative community and affirmed our commitment to experimental craftsmanship.
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In 2017 we had the privilege to participate in Meet My Project during Salone del Mobile in Milan, an internationally renowned showcase uniting emerging and established designers. Surrounded by thousands of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors, this event affirmed our commitment to craftsmanship and design innovation.
It was a milestone moment for us, as we presented our work on the same stage where design trends and ideas converge, and connected with a global audience at one of the world’s most influential design fairs.
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In 2016, I held a solo exhibition titled ‘Phyllamphorae’ in Gdynia Science Center ‘Experyment’, showcasing a series of self-created ceramic sculptures.
This exhibition marked an important, initial moment of my artistic exploration, where the forms and textures sought to evoke organic growth and the delicate interplay of nature and craft.
FAQ
The FAQ section is here to help you find quick answers to the most common questions about SWAWOLE ATELIER. You’ll discover information about our materials, production times, customization options, shipping, and care instructions for your ceramics. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to contact us directly — we’ll be happy to help and guide you through the process.
READ FULL FAQ
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All of our ceramics are crafted in our Hamburg atelier with meticulous attention to detail. Our collection includes a wide range – from bowls, cups, and plates to vases. These timeless treasures are available year-round. In addition, we also create limited editions, designed as one-of-a-kind pieces. And if you’re looking for something truly personal, we also take on custom commissions.
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Simply browse our collection, choose the pieces you love, and add them to your cart. Once you’re ready, follow the checkout steps – your ceramics will soon be on their way to you, or waiting for you to pick them up at our Hamburg atelier.
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We currently accept PayPal as well as major credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
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Yes – you’re warmly invited to visit our Hamburg atelier during opening hours to purchase in person. We’d be delighted to welcome you in our beautiful space and help you choose your piece.
