Massimo Pavan

BIRNE

Ceramicist

The joys of the process

Massimo is much inspired by the architecture around him in Rotterdam
In his practice, he places emphasis on process over result
A ceramics course is what sparked a career change for him

Massimo Pavan, an Italian ceramicist residing in the Netherlands, left his career in economics and found his calling in clay. Initially, his curiosity led him to explore video and photography, but in late 2017, he took an evening ceramics course in Rotterdam that would change his life. “I immediately saw a complexity in the process and fell in love with the material,” he says. By 2019, Massimo was training intensively in his teacher’s studio. Fully committing to ceramics in 2020, he revels most in the actual act of creating, rather than focusing on what the final product will look like. He began teaching ceramics in 2024, emphasising to his students the significance of the process, believing that this is what leads to the most fulfilling results.

Interview

What does 'well made' mean to you?: To me, 'well made' means understanding how every parameter affects the final piece. It is when the material’s behaviour is perfectly understood and reflected in the outcome. My pieces may look similar, but each process reveals new insights. The essence is the process, a dialogue where the material guides me.
How has the Netherlands affected your work?: I moved to the Netherlands in 2016. Living in Rotterdam – a very interesting city – and being surrounded by its unique architecture, has profoundly influenced my work. The city’s post-WWII rebuild and my interactions with architects has greatly shaped my aesthetics and approach to ceramics.
What has been a memorable moment so far?: Participating in the Rotterdam Art Week in 2020 meant the shift was complete. Having my own studio and showcasing my work marked my official entry into the world of craft, art and design. It solidified my new career and was very exciting for me at the time.
What do you love most about your profession?: It is the material, or should I say working with a material, which in this case is clay. I love that I can actually go to my studio and think about how to create something. I am happy to work with any material, but I just fell in love with clay.

Massimo Pavan is a rising star: he began his career in 2020 and he started teaching in 2023