Myrsini Alexandridi

Myra

Ceramic decorator | Johanneshov, Sweden

Greek folklore on a tile

White tiles and ceramic objects are Myrsini's canvas
Her work is an improvisation on the Greek tradition
She divides her time between her two studios in Stockholm and Skopelos

Myrsini Alexandridi is a visual artist and designer who works at the intersection of architecture, painting and ceramics. Trained as an architect at the National Technical University of Athens and The Berlage institute in the Netherlands, she allows the discipline's structural logic and spatial sensibility to inform her practice. Today, Myrsini explores materiality, form and the dialogue between surface and space. The ceramic tile, a medium that bridges the decorative and the architectural, serves as both her canvas and her conceptual anchor. "Through ceramic tiles, I investigate the boundaries between function and ornament, permanence and fragility," Myrsini says.

Interview

©Myrsini Alexandridi

Why did you choose this craft?: My studies and work as an architect helped me me understand and embrace craftsmanship. I began to experiment with my desire to create with my hands. The materiality and tactility of tiles intrigued me from the very first moment.
How do you express your Greek heritage in your work?: Even though I am currently living in Sweden, Greece is my heritage: its history, tradition, architecture, customs, and topography shape me as a person, artist and architect and influence my work. In my work, I try to reconnect with my roots, my memories of places I have been to, and images from my childhood.
Where do you draw inspiration?: I get inspired by folklore that is transferred from one generation to the next. I was very lucky to grow up with two grandmothers who made embroidery. It is fundamental for me to keep my origins alive through my work. I remember sitting and doing my homework at the kitchen table while my grandmother patiently knitted next to me.
Which techniques do you use?: For tile murals I use smalt paint on top of glazed surfaces; the paint mimics the look of glazed ceramics without the need for a kiln. I paint ceramic vases and plates with underglazes on top of the bisque. Once they are dry, I glaze and fire them in the kiln. My painting techniques are pointillism on 2D objects and continuous lines on 3D objects.

Myrsini Alexandridi is a rising star: she began her career in 2020