Monika Dąbrowska Picewicz

Ceramicist

©Marta Piskorek

Finding function in form

Monika’s parents were crystal glass cutters
Her creations are inspired by her natural surroundings
She likes to combine different techniques in one work

Monika Dąbrowska Picewicz became fascinated with ceramics when she was still in high school. She took part in a ceramic workshop and continued her path to becoming a craftswoman studying at The Academy of Fine Arts in Wroclaw. At that time, it was the only department of ceramics in Poland. "I immediately decided that there was no possibility I would want to do anything else in my life," she says. Monika’s workshop is now settled in the small town of Kęty in the south of Poland. Surrounding herself with nature had a strong impact on her works and became the main inspiration of her ovoid like forms. "It is like drawing all the emotions that mankind can take from nature and later expressing it in works," she explains. To embellish her works, Monika uses a unique technique related to painting.

Interview

©Marta Piskorek

©Marta Piskorek

What do you love about ceramics?: That it combines all the techniques together; sculpture, painting and drawing. At the same time, it’s also possible to make a useful object. There is such a vast array of innovative techniques within this craft, that no one person would be able to try them all.
What techniques do you use to decorate your works?: I use the Japanese nerikomi technique. On a separate cast tile, I create a pattern by using different coloured clays which I apply with a thin layer with a delicate gesture, like in a painting. Then I add various elements, like metal filings or glass, and finally it is imposed piece by piece on a ceramic work.
How would you define your art?: These are three-dimensional emotional images in which the solid form becomes an excuse to create colour and texture. On the surface of these simple forms, I experiment and examine the relationship between the materials. Sometimes it can be a laborious and meticulous process, while other times I just follow my intuition.
What is the challenge of creating?: Time and surprises that can come during the realisation of a project. You expend a lot of energy in this process and sometimes out of five works you might be satisfied with the outcome of only one. When it comes to the selection of my works, I am a perfectionist.

Monika Dąbrowska Picewicz is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2001