Who was the master who trained you?
My hometown Nove has a tradition in ceramic production dating back to the 17th century and I grew up surrounded by people working on this craft. My family owned a pottery workshop and when my turn came I had to face the typical challenge of my generation: reinvent a traditional business in a contemporary and distinctive way.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?
Tradition lies in the techniques, which are still pretty much the same as they used to be a long time ago. Working by hand is more than ever the secret ingredient to creating shapes and nuances that no machinery can generate. On the other hand, my materials, enamels and designs can be extremely innovative.
©Mattia Balsamini
What do you love most about your profession?
They say that it takes 10,000 hours to master a craft. With ceramic this is not enough. You never really know it completely. It remains a challenge that we are lucky to face time after time in collaboration with our clients and partners: original design and architecture studios looking for something different, not mainstream.
What does well made mean to you?
If you are a craftsperson, well made does not mean perfect. It means balancing the highest qualitative standards with a human trace – it might be imperfection – expressing passion, care, passing of time. Imperfection is our human signature. It is where the charm lies.