Material Matters Podcast: Explore Craft Through the Materials That Shape It
Seetal Solanki, Founder of Ma-tt-er
Metal, clay, glass, wood, textiles, even waste — materials are everywhere. But in the hands of a maker, they become something more, a way to tell stories, build identities or respond to the environment.
The Material Matters podcast, hosted by journalist and curator Grant Gibson, is all about that connection. Each episode follows a different craft journey, focusing on a single material or process and how it has shaped the life and practice of a leading artist, designer or maker.
Check out some of our top picks below — and explore the full archive at materialmatters.design/Podcast.
Seetal Solanki – Systems & Materials
Seetal Solanki, founder of materials research studio Ma-tt-er, talks about how materials connect us to ecology, society, and each other. Expect to be challenged in how you think about the systems behind the materials we use every day.
Ndidi Ekubia – Silver
Working in silver, Ndidi Ekubia creates bold, flowing vessels that seem to ripple and move. She shares her journey from student to silversmith and how she brings life, joy and a sense of movement to a material often seen as cold or static.
Alkesh Parmar – Orange Peel
Alkesh Parmar is a designer and researcher. Over the years, he has hollowed out champagne corks and turned them into chandeliers, as well as transforming traditional Indian terracotta cups into light fittings. But he is best known for his work with citrus peel in general – and orange peel in particular.
Florian Gadsby – Clay
With millions of online followers and a bestselling book, ceramicist Florian Gadsby has brought the quiet beauty of pottery to a huge audience. In this episode, he talks about repetition, discipline, and how sharing his making process has built a global community — all rooted in the simple, grounding act of working with clay.
Eleanor Lakelin – Wood
Bogwood is ancient — literally. In this episode, artist and maker Eleanor Lakelin shares her fascination with these thousands-of-years-old timbers and how she coaxes new life from old wood. It’s about patience, process, and a deep respect for the material’s story.
