Together for creative freedom
- Alessandra and Henrik are inspired by Nature and landscapes
- Their work combines traditional and experimental techniques
- Creating timeless pieces with texture is their aim
Alessandra Mozzi and Henrik Claesson share a passion for ceramics, nature and experimentation. Ten years ago they opened Cham Ceramica, an anagram of their initials. Based in the heart of the Portofino Park in Liguria, their inspiration is nourished by the beauty and essence of the landscape surrounding them, as well as by their interaction with customers. Alessandra and Henrik use wild clays collected in the grounds close to their workshop, glazes made with elements such as ash, shells and oxides, so as to create organic textures and colours. The duo never cease to experiment, creating functional and ornamental pieces. A few years ago they enjoyed a memorable moment when an order of 900 mugs came in, and they still recall having all of them stacked on the workshop shelves.
Interview
- What do you enjoy most about your craft?
- Alessandra: I enjoy a total sense of freedom when I am at the potter’s wheel. Even when I am working on a series, to me each piece is a one-of-a-kind. I make my own mixtures and glazes. When I am asked how I make a piece, my reply is “with years and passion.”
- What is your background?
- Henrik: I studied design and photography in my native Stockholm, and I am a self-taught ceramicist. As a child I had tried the potter’s wheel but it was not until 2012 that I discovered a true passion for ceramics, which became a full-time job in 2015. I love it as it gives me the opportunity to create with freedom, following my imagination.
- How does the outside environment affect your work?
- Henrik: I am inspired by what surrounds me in daily life: rocks, fossils, trees and the seabeds. I also look at Japanese and Korean ceramics, trying to develop an individual style, and innovating techniques and shapes. My work is fulfilling, yet playful.
- How do you reach your customers?
- Alessandra: Before the pandemic we had a small shop that we had to close down. Since then we have been renting temporary spaces in different locations. We mostly rely on our website to sell our pieces, though we do enjoy direct interaction.
Alessandra Mozzi & Henrik Claesson are expert artisans: they began their career in 2015
Works
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Alessandra Mozzi & Henrik Claesson
