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Ceramic Matchbox
Each ceramic matchbox is a singular, hand-painted object, created with meticulous attention to detail. No two pieces are alike — each carries its own imagery, texture, and rhythm of the artist’s hand.
The paper matchboxes inside are assembled by the artist herself and hold a special historical weight. They contain matches acquired from a collector in Kharkiv shortly before the city was impacted by russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This quiet detail transforms the object into more than a functional item — it becomes a vessel of memory, fragility, and resilience.
Balancing intimacy and utility, these matchboxes exist at the intersection of everyday ritual and contemporary art. They are meant to be used, held, and lived with — small but potent reminders of continuity in uncertain times.
Details
Ceramic matchbox
Glazed, hand-painted
Handmade by the artist
Paper matchbox assembled by the artist
Each piece is unique
Ceramic 'Portrait' Matchbox Series
ASSHA is the boundless creative realm of Oleksandra Plavinska, a Ukrainian ceramic artist from Odesa celebrated for her expressive, functional sculptures. Her ceramic napkin holders, matchboxes, vases, and flower holders—everyday objects—transform simple interactions into rich storytelling moments.
Originally trained as a theatre and film artist, Oleksandra began her journey with painting, launched her own upcycling brand, and ultimately found her true passion in ceramics. The ASSHA world is populated by haunting eyes and faces that invite viewers into their mysteries, alongside landscapes and florals that communicate through vibrant colors and evocative forms. Oleksandra’s work explores the interplay between the human spirit and the external world, infusing profound meaning into deceptively simple, utilitarian forms.