Maria Giassi

Mosaic maker

©Cesare Augello

©Alessandra Rosato

Love at first mosaic

Maria combines ancient mosaic techniques with creative rigour
She loves working with her hands
She calls herself a craftswoman, not an artist

"A teacher can change a life," proclaims Maria Giassi. This is what happened to Maria who went to visit the Mosaic School of Friuli in Spilimbergo on a field trip with her high school. It had been a suggestion by one of her teachers, and Maria was fascinated by the discovery. She decided in that moment that mosaics would be her future. After graduating, she went on to gain experience and improve her skills in Italy and abroad, and learned to develop her personal style using the paper-face reverse and direct techniques. In 2015, Maria created her own company and opened her workshop in Milan. To her, every customised work is a special journey in which she delights in creating an artwork that will suit its intended environment to perfection.

Interview

©Federica Nardese

©Cesare Augello

How do you meet the different demands and tastes of your eclectic clientele?: I think it is very important to listen to each customer, understand what they are looking for, where they wish to place the artwork, but also their budget and the delivery requirements. In my opinion the key words are listening, sharing and empathy.
How do you choose the materials for your compositions?: It depends on both aesthetics and practicality. Usually, I use marble and stone or glassy materials such as enamel and gold. I work with specialised suppliers to guarantee the quality and adequacy of materials for every specific artwork.
What innate aptitude is needed to become a mosaicist?: It takes time and care. Starting from the design, you must choose and cut every tessera carefully because every tessera gives meaning to the one next to it and the whole must restore perfection and harmony. It is a craft that cannot be practised without patience and passion.
Do you ever use ceramics?: A friend of mine invited me to attend a ceramics course and I became hooked. I started to make ceramic objects and decorated them with mosaics. I liked the result and many other people did too. After all, natural materials always find a way to tune in and to harmonise with each other.

Maria Giassi is a master artisan: she began her career in 2004 and she started teaching in 2015