Arkadiusz Szwed

Ceramicist

©Maciej Karpe

Experimenting with imagination

Arkadiusz specialises in handmade cast porcelain objects
His inspiration is pop culture, comics, animated series and computer games
He is head of ceramics at the School of Form in Warsaw

Arkadiusz Szwed is one of the most talented and inspiring ceramic artists of his generation in Europe. He designs handmade cast porcelain objects in unique shapes, colours and sizes that go beyond the accepted standards. His artistic journey started at the age of 15, but it wasn’t until 2007 that he decided to become a ceramic designer. At that time, he started working for his teacher, Marek Cecuła, in the Modus Design Studio in Kielce, where he developed his passion for plaster turning, modelling, slip casting and pottery. Since then, he has created various objects from futuristic vases, elegant tableware to the largest ceramic rosary in Poland. The artist explains that the core of his work is to experiment freely with the form and capture chaos into a specific mould. His pieces of work are admired from Reykjavik to Budapest.

Interview

©Maciej Karpe

©Maciej Karpe

What was the most memorable moment of your career?: My first visit to a ceramics factory in Ćmielów, Poland, where I saw what real mass production looks like. Meeting people working there and seeing the production processes with my own eyes changed how I perceived ceramic objects.
How do you express innovation and tradition?: I use the traditional moulding techniques, but I experiment with the material and create unusual, innovative objects. All my pieces are also inspired by modern pop culture which makes them more adaptable to people’s lives.
What does a well made object mean to you?: In the past, I would have said that a well made object was a carefully moulded – almost flawless – product. Today, I see value in the process itself and admire all the imperfections that come with it.
What would you say to a young professional who wants to follow this career?: Let your imagination go wild, don’t be afraid to experiment with form – look for your own path. Remember that ceramics moulding is a very capricious art but don’t be discouraged, true perfection comes with time.

Arkadiusz Szwed is a master artisan: he began his career in 2006 and he started teaching in 2012