Riccardo Monachesi

Ceramicist

An emotional connection

Riccardo is a trained architect
Every single ceramic piece he creates is unique
His ceramic studio is on the Aventino hill in Rome

Riccardo Monachesi started an apprenticeship with Nino Caruso, one of Italy's masters of ceramic sculpture, just a few years before getting his architecture degree at Rome University, and this experience changed the course of his life. All his works are unique pieces which reflect the duality of his life's path, his creations touch the boundaries between art and fine craftsmanship. Riccardo uses ceramic as the perfect medium to convey a thought and, ultimately, spark an emotion. Over the years his pieces, created in his tiny Roman studio on the Aventino hill or resulting from artistic residencies, have been included in countless personal or collective exhibitions, both in Italy and abroad.

Interview

Did you learn from a master?: I started my apprenticeship in 1977 with Nino Caruso, a master of ceramic sculpture in Italy, and his technique greatly influenced my artistic path. He left me, as a gift, the love that I still have for a single piece, each being unique and different.
How does architecture meet with ceramics?: I design emotions. Working with ceramic offers countless possibilities in terms of creation. Design means seriality. My creative process starts from a story, a place, a detail and implies my will to convey a concept and, ultimately, spark an emotion.
How would you define what you do?: In general, art implies that there is a concept. The difference is the kind of thinking and expectations behind a craft. I know that Michelangelo preferred not to be called a sculptor, but the context was completely different at the time.
What does well made mean to you?: Well made is not just about perfect execution, without defects. Of course, this is important and it is a challenge with ceramic, a material that doesn't allow complete control in the making process, but well made for me means first of all "honest”: an object must be the result of a good thinking.

Riccardo Monachesi is a master artisan: he began his career in 1977 and he started teaching in 1990