Beasts of myth and clay
- Mirta specialises in ceramics that depict animals and living elements
- She proudly innovates the tradition of Faenza’s ceramics
- She works alongside her daughter and other ceramicists in her workshop
Mirta Morigi comes from Faenza, the Italian capital of ceramics. Her studies at Gaetano Ballardini Ceramics School in Faenza allowed her to meet and learn from the great masters of ceramics. Since Mirta started in her teenage years, she has developed a strong artistic personality, fuelled by her love for clay and handcrafting. As young as 14 she had the opportunity to train in workshops and learn through observation and experimentation, honing her skills. Driven and passionate, she now proudly heads an all-female workshop. Her production reflects an extremely creative and playful environment, that has garnered national and international appreciation. Mirta's fantastical and colourful bestiary creates connections and transcends borders.
Interview
- What does Faenza mean to you?
- It is a unique environment in the Italian landscape. Here, you can live completely immersed in a culture of ceramics. I had the opportunity to learn my craft from a young age and was able to build and hone my path, a combination of tradition and innovation, through experimentation and hard work.
- Have you had any experiences abroad?
- I firmly believe that clay is a universal language. I talk with my hands, and this allows me to speak to other cultures. Ceramics have no borders and I feel very lucky and privileged to have travelled and encountered different people and institutions that have appreciated my work.
- How would you define what you do?
- I have a very clear vision and I have always tried to have my own voice and aesthetic, recognisable even when I was making pieces in the realm of tradition. For me experimentation and having an open mind towards other cultures and other ways of making ceramics are key.
- Have there been memorable moments in your career?
- I take pride in all my international experiences, from Australia to Portugal, India and Japan to China and Korea. I always come home, though. In 2022 I was awarded with the Fondazione Cologni Maestro d’Arte e Mestieri (MAM) prize, acknowledging my contribution to Italian excellence in craftsmanship.
Mirta Morigi is a master artisan: she began her career in 1973 and she started teaching in 1973
Where
Mirta Morigi
