Roman Šedina

Ceramicist

©Zuzana Vesela

©Roman Sedina

©Jan Mahr3

Finding beauty in imperfection

Roman specialises in shaping deformities
He uses porcelain layering and sprayed ceramics
He makes series of porcelain accessories

Roman Šedina's vases celebrate emptiness. Even without flowers, they are full of life, seeming to bear their nakedness proudly. It is as if the material is both a tool and a product. "When I first encountered clay, I was fascinated. The first touch, the initial trials and setbacks led me to strongly admire it, sparking an intense desire to comprehend this material," she says. Šedina's processing of clay is intriguing. Touching the objects, one can't tell the era of their genesis: simple shapes coated with a grainy, sometimes glazed texture, caked knots of clay and tangible imperfections. These could come from neolith, antiquity, present or even future. Decorated with distinctive colours, the vases exhibit their earthy origin with both modesty and pride.

Interview

©Martin Kopecky

©Roman Sedina

When did you first come across ceramics?: When I was 15 years old, I witnessed the production of a teapot and vase for the first time. To me, it was unbelievable that you can make vessels from a lump of clay in just a few minutes. Several hand movements, finger pushing once or twice and a wonderful, organic shape is born.
Did you decide then it would be your career path?: It was a gradual process. And fate, I think. Bechyně, the town of my birth, is considered the centre of ceramics in Czechia. The local ceramic high school has a 100 year tradition. Also, my family pushed me forward, as well as my first successes.
Do you teach your craft?: Yes, it came full circle. I motivate young apprentices to do this beautiful craft, the oldest one in the world. In 2016 I also started the Live Life initiative to support and promote ceramics. Touching clay is calming; it's considered an art therapy.
What attributes do you need to succeed?: You must be tenacious. It takes a lot of time and concentration to create a single piece. But it's worth it. I make my dreams come true, putting my emotions, ideas and perception of natural beauty into the objects. In my case, it's certainly an obsession.

Roman Šedina is a master artisan: he began his career in 2000 and he started teaching in 2010