Meet Didem Mert

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Didem Mert. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Didem, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

“I’ve been going through a creative block…”

That wall is always spoken about as such a shameful and negative experience, yet each and every one of us creatives has hit that wall time and time again. I’ve been there too, trying to continually push myself to make and develop new ideas when my body and mind are telling me hell no. Over the years I’ve realized in every other part of my life that going with my gut feeling has never led me astray. With that in mind, why do we try so damn hard to push against a moment in time we aren’t feeling as inspired?

One day I decided to take that journey of the creative block and truly feed into it. I spent more time with friends, went to see more live music, took more walks, and in general spent more time observing and connecting with my surroundings. I found my soul feeling full in different ways than what comes from creating my work.

I began to think more on the phrase, “art imitates life.” It’s our real-life experiences and connections reflecting in our work that make a compelling piece. So, go on that trip with friends! Have a slow morning making breakfast and spending time with your fur babies. Rest when your body tells you it needs it. Take photos of those experiences, journal, or voice record the highlights within those moments and see where that leads you and your work.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Being the first-gen American of a Turkish woodworker, I was raised in a design-rich environment that has influenced who I am and my current body of ceramic work. Geometry, texture, play, symbolism, color, and the functionality of my work emanates from this artistic environment. I draw upon my cultural heritage to bring a unique, imaginative sensibility to my work. My pieces largely feature a combination of collage, drawing, and illustration to create a cultural visual language specific to my personal life. Combining vibrant colors and diverse textures to create pieces that are both eye-catching and practical I aim to create pieces that evoke emotion, nostalgia, and sense of playfulness directed through the color palette and textural surfaces.

Bio:

Didem Mert (she/they) was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH. Mert received their BFA (ceramics) from Northern Kentucky University in 2014 and MFA (ceramics) from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2017.

Mert was included on C File’s list of 15 Potters to Watch in 2016 and was featured on Architectural Digest’s 10 Ceramic Artists Giving Pottery A Modern Update. Mert led a residency at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts during the summer of 2017 and (upcoming) 2025. They were honored as one of Ceramics Monthly’s Emerging Artists of 2018. Mert was a summer resident at the Archie Bray Foundation in 2018 and a visiting artist in 2024.

Didem currently lives in Sebastopol, CA and works as a full-time studio potter and workshop instructor.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Listening to my gut, always embracing a childlike sense of wonder and curiosity, and being willing and excited to problem solve.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

My father has been the most impactful person in my life for so many reasons.

He, without any other family members, immigrated to the states from Turkey in his 30s to attend the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP program to study ergonomic design. He worked his ass off, going to school during the day and working late into the night for a woodworker. Once he graduated he started his own woodworking company and my mom and brother then immigrated to the states from Turkey.

I worked as my father’s bookkeeper from the age of 14-23 and during that time I learned so much- the pros and cons to owning and operating your own business, but also the emotions, physical, and mental struggle it comes with.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.didemmert.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/didemmert_pottery/