Marcin Kuberna

GRÔPK

Ceramicist

©Mood Authors

©Martyna Galla

©Mood Authors

©Martyna Galla

Unearthing ceramics from within

Marcin creates large ceramic pieces inspired by his native region of Kashubia
He uses the coiling method, one of the oldest methods used in ceramics
He sought ceramics after a break in his career during the pandemic

Marcin Kuberna is a self-taught ceramicist who learned his craft through personal exploration and hands-on experience. Before embracing ceramics, he worked in the fashion industry where he learned how to communicate through aesthetics. Marcin opened his workshop in 2021 and founded his ceramics studio, Grôpk, which means pot in the Kashubian language. The raw beauty, nature and traditions of Kashubia, the artist's native region, are his primary sources of inspiration. Marcin specialises in creating vases that mimic nature in large forms, with pieces resembling nests, plant tubers or primitive Neolithic vessels. He creates most of his pieces using the coiling technique. “I create ceramic pieces that are more than just objects, they are experiences that invite people to slow down, focus and look inward,” Marcin says.

Interview

©Wojciech Klauze

©Wojciech Klauze

How are your ceramics connected to the Kashubia region?: My craft is deeply connected to my heritage in the Kashubia region in Poland. The region’s folklore, language and reverence for nature influence my creative work. The values of working with the earth and celebrating nature are integral to my craft.
How did you get into the world of ceramics?: I picked up ceramics during the pandemic, after going through a break in my career. It was a period of change, and my self-taught endeavours in ceramics became a way to seek creative independence and reconnect with nature.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: I blend ancient, primitive techniques with a contemporary perspective. Even though I use the coiling method for creating vessels, one of the oldest methods used throughout history, mine are not primarily functional. Instead, they are an invitation to reflect on one's self and the world we live in.
What do you love most about ceramics?: I love the meditative process that working with ceramics entails. The long hours I spend in shaping the vessels allow me to fully surrender to intuitive gestures. There is something profoundly fulfilling about letting my hands guide the clay without overthinking, trusting the flow to bring the final form to life.

Marcin Kuberna is a rising star: he began his career in 2021