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© Marija Gašparović
© Marija Gašparović
© Marija Gašparović
© Marija Gašparović
© Marija Gašparović

Martina Franić

  • Pepel
  • Ceramicist
  • Zagreb, Croatia
  • Master Artisan
Martina Franić Ceramicist
Contact
Croatian, English
Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday 16:00 - 20:00, Wednesday and Friday 12:00 - 16:00
Phone:
+385 995977812
© Marija Gašparović

A meditation on ceramics

  • • Martina is a self-taught ceramicist with a costume design background
  • • She is fascinated by natural processes and raw materials
  • • Meditation is an integral part of her process

"For years I worked as a costume designer on exhausting film sets," says Martina Franić. "Suddenly I needed more peace for my creativity. This is how I discovered clay. I was impressed with clay as a material, and the process of firing and glazing. I especially loved that this material is found in nature. I loved the peace surrounding the clay.” Martina started her discovery of ceramics by using a potter's wheel at the School of Applied Arts, and gradually continued perfecting techniques at home on her own wheel, while in parallel discovering new techniques. After some years of practice, she started her own shop, named Pepel, in the centre of Zagreb, where she creates and sells handmade functional and artistic ceramics.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Marija Gašparović
  • © Marija Gašparović
  • © Marija Gašparović
  • © Marija Gašparović
  • © Marija Gašparović
Photo: © Marija Gašparović
Tumblers

Tumblers made on the wheel with a trimmed base. Both were wood fired at 1,350°C to achieve a smooth surface, despite their rough appearance. The colour of the clay is a deep dark red with hints of metallic blue.

Photo: © Marija Gašparović
Bowls

These sophisticated bowls with trimmed bases were made on the wheel. They were wood fired at 1,350°C to achieve a smooth surface, despite their rough appearance. The colour of the clay is a deep dark red with hints of metallic blue.

Height 5 cm
Width 17.5 cm

Photo: © Marija Gašparović
Porcelain cups

Cups made with a mixture of porcelain and crushed granite. The smooth porcelain incorporates the granite dust without losing its refinement. The glaze inside the cups is heavier, appearing shiny, almost greenish, and crackled. The outside is matt with a spontaneous finish. They are wheel thrown and fired at 1,270 °C.

Height 7 cm
Width 8 cm

Photo: © Marija Gašparović
Space cup

Part of the Space series, this small container is made of various clays collected from nature. It was created using the kurinuki technique, a method of carving that reveals a new, different layer of clay with every incision. Earthy tones prevail in these cups, which are not glazed. The foot is hand trimmed.

Photo: © Marija Gašparović
Wood ash bowl

This sophisticated bowl with a trimmed base was made on the wheel and then wood fired at 1,350°C to achieve a smooth surface, despite their rough appearance. It was glazed with a spontaneous, homemade glaze of abonos wood ash, also applied on the inside, resulting in a matt finish.

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