Olivia Eshe HoltAbout
Olivia Eshe is an artist from Detroit, Michigan working in ceramics, art furniture and spatial design. Her artistry spans from traditional handcrafting techniques to 3D modeling and visualization. 

Olivia received a BFA in Product Design with a minor in Furniture at the College of Creative Studies. She currently holds a Junior Designer position at Urban Alterscape working with local entrepreneurs and business owners on commercial projects that positively impact the city of Detroit. 


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Selected Work
Crafted ObjectsDigitally DesignedSpatial Installation

Marina 
Speckled buff clay. black underglaze slip, pearl and livid lake glaze. 2024

When starting this piece my main intention was to practice making pinch pots. The more I made the more I had to play with it, resulting in this peculiar stacked sculpture. Many told me how the piece reminded them of the Marina City building in Chicago, how serendipitous!

My sweet blue Marina
She reflects the light and shadow.
 

    All form, No Function.
    Brown Terra Cotta. 2024

    Arriving at a point in my art practice(therapy) where form and feeling take priority. no longer falling into the pressure of function. Kindly declining any urge to describe or make sensible, open to vulnerable conversations about internal processes.

    Electricfy Expo
    Lexus USA. 2023

    This booths modular architecture  utilizes a simple structure providing an open space for programming with easy deployment. It features interchangeable walls and rails for custom display.

    Highlighting the next chapter of Lexus through display of campaign graphics, programmed activations and an engaging environmental application.

    My impact: modular structure design, vehicle layout, 3D visualization and renders


    T8 Market Stall Design
    Better Block. 2023

    FD23: Build a Better Market Stall
    A Design Competition by Better Block

    Project funded by AARP and Toyota

    3rd place Awardee: Team 8 (T8) - David Cayll, Xelaya Mendoza, Santiago Romero, and Olivia Holt

    Small business vendors play an irreplaceable role in our built environment. They create jobs and generate revenue while contributing to the overall vitality of strong cities. Communal markets have started gaining popularity and support due to their unique vendors with specialized goods. It's more important than ever that we nurture these spaces where one can immerse themselves in art and meet people from all walks of life.

    While the payoff is immense, being self-employed can be a challenge in and of itself, especially when one loses some mobility due to age. As time goes on in the life of some vendors, setting up can become a hassle. From transporting their supplies and carrying their products to the actual setup of their stand. Our mission at Better Block was simple: create a market stall for a vendor who’s older than 50.



    Earth Side
    Cast Concrete. 2021

    To expand apon my use of curvature and material exploration, I designed this two part side table.  Transforming the typical industrial cast process into a tactile application method. Mixing the concrete by hand provided moments of focus, mediation and reflection; I came up with a custom mix using a terra dye to symblolize the color of earth. This piece serves as a true representation of material exploration. Seeking to embody the properties and cast process of concrete in a new form.

    Garden Novella
    Other Work. 2021

    other-work.com
    video link
    Project Article on Medium

    A traveling garden of stories, plants, and lights. The stories are audio recordings from 15 residents and business owners from Southwest Detroit. As you approach the installation, motion sensors activate the lights and speakers, producing a soundscape choreography that introduces you to the community. Suspended plants evoke the sense of uprootedness and transplanted - and just as many immigrants in Southwest have had to plant new roots in a new ecology where they help one another thrive. Mirrors clad the underside of the canopy, reflecting the image of yourself as you hear someone else’s story, someone whose story may be much different than yours, as a reminder that even in our differences we are united. 


    My impact: prototype development, handcrafting techniques, final installation

    Cortado Table
    THING THING. 2021

    Cut coffee table set designed to be arranged in various orientations, creating special forms individually and together.

    My impact: co-designer, concept development, final installation



     

      Respose
      Spatial Design. 2020

      An outdoor pavilion centered around the themes of continuous flow and nature. REPOSE provides a sense of being inclosed and outdoors. There are three major areas in the pavilion; a bench to sit, bedding to rest, and a table to work. The pavilion offers ample floor space allowing users to sit low to nature, feel grounded, and look at the sky above.

      School of Space 
      e•scape design challenge
      Lines, Loops
      Birch Plywood. 2019

      This series marks the beginning use of curvature in my ever evoling design lanuage.  I aim to push the boundaries of the material through form and process. The looping of material symbolize stages of life. Starting from line to curve, mapping the beginning and end.


      Coalesce
      Furniture Design. 2018

        Furniture Bringing People Together.

        Library furniture needs to Facilitate all types of interactions. The Coalesce concept is a modern design that provides seating approachable from all sides.