Agnė Šemberaitė

Rios, Natalia

Ceramicist

©Vėtrė Antanavičiūtė

©Daiva Kairevičiūtė

©Vėtrė Antanavičiūtė

©Agnė Šemberaitė

All creatures great and small

Agnė has been working with ceramics for 23 years
She’s still fascinated by the possibilities of ceramics
Her world is full of fantastic creatures

At first, Agnė Šemberaitė wanted to study graphics but decided to devote herself to ceramics because of its versatility. After her studies at Vilnius Art Academy, she started to participate in exhibitions and symposiums, following the professional path of a ceramic artist. She has been walking this path for more than 20 years and is still fascinated by the possibilities of ceramics. Her work is three-dimensional, playing with shapes, but she also makes graphic traces on her dishes using her painting skills. Her works are thoughtful and with a touch of humour. Sometimes they resemble small sculptures, where fantastic creatures tell mysterious stories. Those stories can be found on her dishes, plates, vases or teapots, which are decorative, original, and full of joy. Her world is full of characters - sometimes humans, sometimes animals, and even more often – hybrids of humans and animals.

Interview

©Vėtrė Antanavičiūtė

©Miglė Šliterytė

Why did you choose ceramics?: 23 years ago, when I had to choose, I felt that ceramics had everything I liked: the possibility to create three-dimensional objects with graphic drawings. So, you get to be a sculptor and a graphic artist at the same time.
Do you have specific techniques you like the most?: I mostly work with an electric kiln, but this depends on my working conditions because I live in the city. However, in the summer, when I have the possibility, I enjoy wood burning very much. Last summer, I tried Anagama technique, and I am absolutely fascinated by its possibilities.
What inspires you?: I do not have one specific source of inspiration. Sometimes it can be music, sometimes a certain gesture I have seen recently, even a feeling. I can be inspired by emotions, moods, or the environment that surrounds me.
When do you consider your work done?: My work is done when I am pleased with the result. Sometimes one burning is enough and sometimes it requires eight firings until it matches the image I have in my head. Ceramics is full of surprises – you never know how the result will look.

Agnė Šemberaitė is a master artisan: she began her career in 1999 and she started teaching in 2010