How is your art linked to your region?
I was born and I’ve always lived in Umbria, a region located in centre of Italy. Here artistic methods and craftsmanship have been handed down for centuries. I shape the traditional maiolica and terracotta, which is very linked to the surroundings.
Where does the passion for ceramics come from?
I’ve always been a ceramicist, as I used to attend workshops. What I like most is the act of shaping the material. When I see the object coming out from my hands, I feel great. I shape rather than decorate. The object is decoration in itself, it doesn’t need more.
© Giovanni Mengoni
How do you combine tradition with innovation?
I’m influenced by an ancient material and an ancient technique. But before shaping, I create 3D models and similar modern techniques. Although the final object is handmade using age-old methods, it has a contemporary shape and aesthetic.
Do you perceive your craft as endangered?
Working in schools, I realise that art and craft is not considered a necessary subject. It’s a pity, we come from that world. Skills are few, as well as the facilities that allow practising them, such as art workshops.