Were you trained by a master ceramicist?
I was very lucky to have the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship in Vienna - I was trained by master Harro Berger. Our profession is highly endangered, there are just a few companies in Austria offering apprenticeship places, I’m one of them.
What do you love about ceramics?
For me, being a ceramicist is the best job in the world. I’m fascinated by the interplay of the four elements fire, water, air and earth. Ceramics is one of the most archaic crafts and I always apply primal techniques to create my very special, distinctive vessels and dishes.
© Kati Bruder
How would you describe your unique style?
My big love is the archaic technique of low fired ceramic. For years, I experimented with transferring the special expression and spirit of low fired ceramics to durable, high fired objects. Now, that’s the character of my two signature product series called Emilia and Emil.
Do you remember a special moment in your career?
It has always been my dream to create beautiful, durable dishes for fine dining. I had two special moments on the way to reaching this goal: the first call of a famous chef from Kitzbühel ordering tableware for his restaurant and then the day when my favourite chef from Vienna asked me for plates.