Emilija Beguš

Studio CVAT

Ceramicist

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Ceramics from the heart

Emilija has followed in the footsteps of her great-grandfather and grandfather
For her, ceramics must be both functional and beautiful
She is inspired by lovely things, whatever they may be

The craft of pottery has run in Emilija Beguš’ family for a century. Her great-grandfather and grandfather were both potters and Emilija decided to follow in their footsteps. Her grandfather was her first teacher, but – unlike her ancestors – she enrolled in the University and completed an MA in Ceramic art. “I grew up in a home where traditional pottery was being made for decades,” says Emilija. She never sat behind the wheel until she turned 20, even though she had watched it spin all her life. It seems she was destined for it, however, because she fell instantly in love when she finally gave it a try. Today, Emilija Beguš has her own studio where she creates gorgeous pieces inspired by nature, people, art and everything that’s beautiful.

Interview

What was the very first piece you made on a wheel?
The first object I made was a tiny bowl. My grandpa still keeps it in his workshop! At the time, it was a great challenge for me as I was spending whole days in the shop, learning. I was overjoyed when I made it successfully. My grandpa is a fantastic teacher.
Tell us a secret about your working process?
Someone outside of this craft often doesn’t realise that the making process takes at least two weeks. To get to the final product we have to work in stages, sometimes firing it up to three times. Also, accidents happen, as the objects can easily break in the kiln or get damaged in many ways.
How do you define a well crafted ceramic object?
First of all, a well crafted object must first and foremost be useful. Then, there’s the artistic side of the piece. Both criteria must be fulfilled to achieve harmony. A cup shouldn’t make us think how to use it – it should be functional and beautiful.
What do ceramics mean to you personally?
The craft of ceramics is something done with body and spirit, but most of all with the heart. It can be very demanding and challenging, but my love for the process always pushes me to continue on with even more ardour. It is the most wonderful job in the world because it’s an essential part of who I am.

Emilija Beguš is a rising star: she began her career in 2019 and she started teaching in 2022