In honour of the potters of the past
- Giorgis and Mariniki are inspired by ancient crafts and nature
- They use the burnishing technique and fire their creations in a woodfire kiln
- Sharing their work and passion with people who love pottery fuels their creativity
Giorgis Dalamvelas was born in Margarites in Crete, a place with a long tradition in ceramics. His father was a potter, and Giorgis discovered the craft when he was a young boy, playing with clay alongside the artisans of his village. In 1991, he studied ceramics in Athens and then opened his workshop, Keramion, in 1996. Mariniki Mania studied conservation of antiques and works of art, specialising in the restoration of ceramics. "Giorgis taught me the craft of ceramics," she explains. Through their work together, they express their respect for nature and the resources of their land. "We select, design and create each ceramic form jointly," says Giorgis. The couple use mostly local materials and work with ancient techniques and skills. “The form and decoration are of great importance, but also the position of the vessel in the kiln, in order to achieve the final aesthetic result we desire,” they say.
Interview
- Did you learn your craft from a master artisan?
- Giorgis: I was born and raised in Margarites, Rethymno, known since ancient times for its pottery tradition. My father and his brother were potters. I learned the craft from both my father, Michalis, and my teachers at school, Alekos Kardiakos and Antonis Antonopoulos.
- What unique techniques do you use in your work?
- Both: We burnish the vessels with pebbles, an ancient technique that has almost disappeared, we decorate them with wool, and fire them in a wood-fired kiln for 12 hours. In Margarites, a settlement with such a long tradition in Cretan pottery, we are the last ones to still use this techniques. We feel it is our duty to preserve the local tradition.
- What was a turning point in your career?
- Giorgis: It was when I started working with the mountain soil, which determines the result of our creations. Building my first wood-burning kiln was another important milestones in my career. Mariniki: For me, it was when I started decorating with sheep’s wool, a technique dating back to ancient times.
- What is experimental archaeology and how is it linked to your work?
- Mariniki: Archaeologists often contact us to learn more about the making process behind pieces they uncover. Following their guidance, we produce replicas of ancient vessels using the same materials as the ancient objects, the same making techniques, and their exact dimensions.
Giorgis Dalamvelas & Mariniki Mania are master artisans: they began their career in 1996 and they started teaching in 1996
Works
Where
Giorgis Dalamvelas & Mariniki Mania
