Shaping Clay, Healing Souls: Myriam Koffler’s Studio
- Caroline Haïat
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Shaping clay to heal the soul and mend deep, sometimes repressed or unsuspected wounds. It is in her home in northern Tel Aviv that French-Israeli artist Myriam Koffler welcomes clients of all ages. Having lived in Israel for more than 30 years, Myriam has transformed her terrace into a full-fledged ceramics studio — one that is anything but ordinary. Her own creations decorate a spacious area where dozens of unique pieces come to life each week, shaped by those who eagerly await their turn to meet her. Here, people from all walks of life cross paths; tears mix with laughter, confidences, silences, and often the almost life-saving blossoming of some. Myriam is an atypical personality, warm-hearted and strong-willed, driven by a deep sense of giving: to vibrate through someone else’s personal fulfillment — that is her motto. Portrait.
Myriam is well-known for her free figurative style, integrating techniques such as wax, gold, glaze, and the slips she prepares herself. The moment you step into her sanctuary, you are instantly drawn into a world that stands out: countless figurines, doll-like sculptures representing well-known personalities, everyday objects, and poppies in every size set the tone. A living room that feels like a museum.
A passion turned into a life mission
Myriam began ceramics at the age of eight at school and has never stopped creating. She took numerous classes in France and Israel, but it was right after her divorce, eight years ago, that she decided to devote herself to it entirely."The texture is magical; it changes depending on the weather. The material itself fascinates me," Myriam says.
"The death of my friend Judith 16 years ago was a real turning point — she was my first source of inspiration for my sculptures. I portrayed her, but unfortunately her figurine broke, and I didn’t have the strength to redo it. Still, it was the starting point for my doll collection. I’ve created David Bowie, Neta, Trump, Queen Elizabeth, Mick Jagger, and even Messi," Myriam tells Itonnews.
Myriam soon realized that ceramics was a true form of therapy and wanted to pass on her passion, convinced of the healing properties of clay. She quickly improved her skills, bought a kiln to complete the entire creation process at home — from kneading to the final result — and launched workshops that immediately became a great success.
"At the beginning, people came to me through word of mouth, then I began hosting larger groups, including a French group from the CRIF. Soon after, I received my first orders. I created all the cheese plates for the restaurant Par Derrière in Jaffa. That’s how the adventure began. Today, I have a very diverse clientele," Myriam explains.
Before the war, she welcomed around seven participants per two-hour session. Then October 7th happened, and her work took a completely different direction. She began hosting, free of charge, large groups including survivors of the Nova festival, refugees from northern and southern Israel, and individuals affected directly or indirectly by the massacres.
"October 7th changed everything for me. I felt that God had given me a mission: to help those whom life had not spared — people who felt vulnerable, lost, and had no strength left to keep going. Some were not aware of their psychological distress, while others were profoundly anxious. I witnessed dramatic, complex situations, but in the end, I feel grateful to have taken part in the national effort during such a difficult time," she says.
"Some Nova survivors didn’t even dare leave their homes — ceramics saved them. Some arrived wounded. I listened to the first testimonies of girls who had traveled across the world to share their stories. Many crafted pieces to place on the graves of their friends who had been killed, as well as candles and objects linked to remembrance," Myriam explains, noting that moments of exchange and mutual support allowed her clients to experience something truly unique.
The ambitious poppy project
A few weeks after the war broke out in October 2023, Myriam responded to a Facebook post from Yafa Salomon calling for participation in a major ceramic poppy project entitled “Poppies Before the Rain,” a reference to the rain of missiles that fell on Israel.
"The poppy is Israel’s flower — its emblem. They usually bloom after the rain; they symbolize resilience. Yafa wanted to recruit ceramicists to make 1,400 poppies in memory of the 1,400 people killed by Hamas. There were specific rules: the shade of red had to be precise, and we had to make holes in the poppies to allow rain to pass through. The poppies were later placed across the country — in Nova, Kfar Aza, hospitals, public squares, and cemeteries," Myriam recounts.
The project grew beyond anything they imagined. Ceramicists and volunteers created more than 160,000 poppies, which are now sold worldwide — in Canada, Europe, the United States, and even Brazil. The project also gave Myriam visibility and helped expand her workshops, which she now tailors to each person’s needs. She guides her students through every stage of the creation process and offers individualized support.
After spending two full years working on the poppies, Myriam has gradually returned to creations inspired by her travels.
Passionate about exploring new lands and cultures, she constantly pushes her artistic boundaries. It was after an unforgettable trip to Senegal four years ago that her famous tribal masks were born. "That trip inspired me so much — the people, their kindness, the beauty of the landscapes captured my heart."
Three days a year, Myriam hosts private sales at her home, welcoming numerous tourists who come specially to purchase her work. She also participates in the Tel Aviv municipality’s annual exhibition in October, and her pieces have been displayed at the Stern Gallery in Florentin, the Bauhaus Gallery on Dizengoff, and in a shop in Paris.
Soon, Myriam will host — free of charge — soldiers who have been mobilized for over 600 days, offering a special workshop dedicated to post-traumatic stress. In the near future, she hopes to work even more closely with people suffering from trauma and provide support to those who need it most.
"Ceramics is healing. It allows you to stop thinking about everything — you’re fully focused! It’s yoga for the mind: a true moment of relaxation, a journey, a decompression chamber, and a place that frees emotions," she concludes.
Caroline Haïat
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