Diego Poloniato

Ceramicist

©Chiara Bordignon

Joyful ceramics

Diego's father taught him the craft
He has taken part in numerous exhibitions with his terracotta whistle
He often teaches at local schools

Diego Poloniato inherited his passion for making Cuchi, small terracotta sculptures that also function as whistles, from his father Domenico. After studying at the Istituto d’Arte per la Ceramica Giuseppe De Fabris in Nove, his hometown, since 1990 he has worked with his father as a master ceramicist. He loves to play with various materials and to mix different types of clay to get new colours. During his career, Diego has taken part in numerous exhibitions, winning awards for his interpretations of this Veneto tradition. His favourite subjects are cockerels, hussars on horseback, clowns and dolls, Pinocchio and a variety of animals that inhabit his fantasy. In his workshop, "you can find just happy things," he says.

Interview

©Chiara Bordignon

©Chiara Bordignon

What is your training background?: My father Domenico was a very good craftsman: I learned from him everything I know. After art school, my father wanted me to work first in a factory: he wanted me to have a discipline and a real “boss”. Later, after nearly four years, I finally started working with him, in his workshop.
Do your siblings also follow the family tradition?: No, I’m the only one. They are all accountants, and probably richer than me. But I would never be happy choosing another career: this craft is my life, I feel so satisfied with my work.
What do you love most about your profession?: I have always got more satisfaction from people than from money. A person gives me a priceless gift by paying me a simple compliment. I’m so happy when I see my objects displayed in people’s houses: it means they like them.
What is less known about your craft?: Sometimes people ask me, for example, to make 30 pieces of the same object, all identical. But I’m an artisan and this is not how I work. So I suggest that they ask a factory, where they can find cheaper and identical objects. Handcrafted items are different, they show the marks of the creator, but not everyone understands this.

Diego Poloniato is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1984