Fabio Ciancaglini

Ceramicist

©Fabio Ciancaglini

The beauty of raw matter

Fabio's ceramics are inspired by East Asia
Glazed surfaces and elaborated textures are his signature
He creates simple shapes with elaborate details

Fabio Ciancaglini came to ceramics later on in life. After a master's degree in architecture, he attended the Albertine Academy of Fine Arts in Turin and worked for a while as a painter and engraver. Back then, the only ceramic pieces he knew were the traditional hand decorated Italian ones, which he didn’t like very much. Ten years ago, though, he discovered the Oriental style and he fell in love with its formal simplicity. That’s why he decided to learn the fascinating art of ceramics. He took private classes for two years and then he went to La Borne in France, for an internship with master Françoise Blain. "Ceramics cannot be improvised: many years later, I feel that my training is still in progress," he says.

Interview

©Fabio Ciancaglini

©Fabio Ciancaglini

How would you define your style?: I would call it eclectic. It’s a mix of oriental taste, Scandinavian style and my personal touch, which is very design-oriented. For example, once I made a teapot inspired by the Japanese ones used in tea ceremonies, but I turned it into a design object with an octagonal faceting and an oblique handle.
What’s the signature feature of your works?: Elaborated surfaces and textures, obtained by carving, cutting, and glazing. My creative process, too, is similar both for everyday objects and art pieces: my approach is always rational, with a lot of preliminary thought.
Do you have a favourite technique?: Mostly I work with the lathe, but I often use slabs, too, and hand building. Sometimes I combine two methods, shaping with the lathe and then deforming with my hands. I never use moulds. I love glazing, but lately I’ve rediscovered the beauty of raw matter.
What’s the best part of your craft?: I especially enjoy the finishing process, when the object has already taken shape and is there before my eyes. It’s the moment when the creative tension subsides and I can take care of small details. I really love to concentrate on them.

Fabio Ciancaglini is a master artisan: he began his career in 2012 and he started teaching in 2018