Bottom Feeders, in today’s world of chic, flashy, stylized teacups… not a phrase often heard, but run with it… it is often easy to forget the muted elegance of traditional designs. They may feel like they’ve sean better days, that they’re washed up, fossils, flotsam; old enough for barnacles to find refuge.
Courtesy of Mary O’Malley
Well, my not-so-subtle montage leads to an introduction of Mary O’Malley, a ceramic artist with an eccentric vision that somehow feels just right. Certainly a gold-rimmed teacup is not the typical place one would expect to find a sucker-clad tentacle, but never mind that.
Courtesy of Mary O’Malley
This collection of porcelain teapots, teacups, and vases featuring varying degrees of sea-encrustation is collectively titled ‘Bottom Feeders’. So flawlessly are the details incorporated, that your unadorned teacup may begin to feel cold and lifeless in comparison. Items from the collection can be purchased on Etsy.
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.