Exploring the science of nature
- Eva works mainly with porcelain clay and glazes
- She is fascinated by mathematics, science and nature
- Her focus is on the continuous research of form
Eva Zethraeus grew up first in England and later in Madrid, Spain. When she first visited the Prado Museum at the age of 11, she was completely taken by Hieronymous Bosch’s painting El Jardin de las Delicias, an inspiration ever since. “At first I started painting and drawing, but during courses in Sweden I tried ceramics, and continued to work with the technique," she says. She then studied ceramics at the College of Applied Arts and Crafts in Gothenburg, and three-dimensional work has been her main professional focus since then. “I work with porcelain and make my sculptures by throwing on the wheel, then altering and assembling many parts to make larger, more complicated pieces.”
Interview
- What inspires your work?
- I work with series of sculptures in porcelain clay. I am inspired by different themes, but their commonality is always nature, science and mathematics. My sculptures are the result of an exploration of form and the complicated nature of the ceramic process.
- What do you get out of working in the artistic crafts?
- I take pride in my profession as a ceramicist and in my attention to detail throughout the whole process. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with my artwork. Six years ago I moved to Konstepidemin; this creative community of over 100 professional artists has been a huge inspiration and support.
- How has your work developed through the years?
- These last few years I have been working to make larger pieces and this has meant that I have had to develop new methods of working. In recent work, I focus on the golden ratio and on my fascination for the recurrent Fibonacci sequences in nature.
- How do you relate to young craftspeople?
- Students are always welcome in my studio, as I believe in supporting those who are new to the profession. My best advice to a young person starting out is to find a workplace, routine and discipline. When working in clay it is important to allow oneself time, as the ceramic process is long.
Eva Zethraeus is a master artisan: she began her career in 1993 and she started teaching in 1998
Works
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Eva Zethraeus
