Sculptures 2020-2018
©Aleksandra Zawada
All photographs by Lorenzo Dalberto
Q & A
1. How did you start working with clay?
I enrolled to adult learning course: sculpture in clay. I liked it. I simply felt need to make and learn more. There was no plan, I just kept going.
2. What and/or who are you most inspired or influenced by?
I am inspired by Ancient Japanese and Oriental ceramic sculpture, Outsider ceramics; colour and art that has inspired me regardless of their origins and times they were made.
3. What is your process?
My pieces are hand-built from mainly raku clay, hand painted using oxides and glazes. I love colour. My work does not shy away from strong tones. I often use glazes that reference historical glazes I have seen in museums in Japan and China. I built my skills by practice and by looking forward to the next work.
4. What motivates you?
I enjoy working with clay. I have always had an affinity for simple and tactile materials. I enjoy simplicity of clay, its playfulness and the unexpected when the piece comes out of kiln. I enjoy being “lost” in the process. It was pointed out to me that my work is funny. It is not deliberate.
5. What is your defining moment so far?
I get a feeling of achievement each time my work is on display or goes to new home. The bursary from the British Ceramic Biennial and visit to The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in Stoke on Trent was a turning point for me. Being able to see work I admire made me find my own place in working in ceramics. It just clicked and felt right.
Dutch Lady, 2022
SIZE: 16.5 H x 11 cm W x 5.5 cm D
MATERIAL: stoneware, oxide, glaze
Goat, 2022
SIZE: 19 H x 10 cm W x 9 cm D
MATERIAL: stoneware, oxide, glaze
Breath Out, 2022
SIZE: 16.5 H x 11 cm W x 10.5 cm D
MATERIAL: stoneware, oxide, glaze
Thinker III, 2022
SIZE: 18 H x 13 cm W x 9 cm D
MATERIAL: stoneware, oxide, glaze
Rider III, 2022
SIZE: 16 Hx 12.5 cm W x 13.5 cm D
MATERIAL: stoneware, oxide, glaze
Feet up, 2022
SIZE: 17 H x 12 cm W x 16.5 cm D
MATERIAL: stoneware, oxide, glaze
Woman with beard, 2021
SIZE: 16.5 cm Hx 17 cm W x 9 cm D
MATERIAL: earthenware, oxide, glaze in green
Wisdom, 2021
SIZE: 13.5 cm H x 13 cm W x 9.5 cm D
MATERIAL: earthenware, oxide, glaze in green
Boogie, 2021
SIZE: 21 cm H x 15 cm W x 8 cm D
MATERIAL: earthnware, matt brown glaze
Ojojoj, 2021
SIZE: 23 cm H x 17 cm W x 8 cm D
MATERIAL: earthenware, matt brown glaze
Youth, 2021
SIZE: 21 cm H x 13 cm W x 6.5 cm D
MATERIAL: eathenware, matt brown glaze
Sheep Rider, 2021
SIZE: 21 cm H x 17 cm W x 18 cm D
MATERIAL: stoneware, oxide, glaze in blue-purple-green
Egg headed woman, 2021
SIZE: 21 cm H x 12 cm W x 8.5 cm D
MATERIAL: stoneware, glaze in blue-purple, ceramic paint
Easy Rider, 2021
SIZE: 24 cm H x 18 cmW x 16 cm D
MATERIAL: Raku clay, glaze, ceramic paint
Private collection
Girl with long neck, 2020
SIZE: 24.5 cm H x 12.5 cm W x 5.5 cm D
MATERIAL: glazed earthenware
Bear, 2020 ( 1 of 2)
SIZE: 21.5 cm H x 11.5 cm Wx 8.5 cm D
MATERIAL: glazed earthenware
Woman with necklace , 2020 ( 2 of 2)
SIZE: 22.5 cm H x 14 cm W x 9.5 cm D
MATERIAL: glazed earthenware
Deity 1 (Woman with skull) , 2021
SIZE: 25 cm H x 12 cm W x 11 cm D
MATERIAL: earthenware, copper/beige glaze
Seated Deity, 2021
SIZE: 18 cm H x 18 cm W x 12 cm D
MATERIAL: earthenware, copper/beige glaze
Woman with bear, 2021
SIZE: 21 cm H x 17.5 cm W x 16 cm D
MATERIAL: eathenware, copper/beige glaze
Thinker with fat ankles, 2021
SIZE: 21 cm H x 16 cm W x 16 cm D
MATERIAL: earthenware, copper/beige glaze
Third eye, 2021
SIZE: 24 cm H x 17.5 cm W x 14 cm D
MATERIAL: eathenware, copper/beige glaze
Double Bear, 2021
SIZE: 23.5 cm H x 16.5 cm W x 11 cm D
MATERIAL: earthenware, copper/beige glaze
Sunbelly, 2021
SIZE: 17.5 cm H x 17.5 cm W x 12 cm D
earthenware, copper/beige glaze
Stone, 2021
SIZE: 15 cm H x 17 cm W x 12 cm D
MATERIAL: earthenware, copper/beige glaze