The modern born from the very ancient
- Pınar pursued a master's and PhD in ceramics before opening her own workshop
- She taught her craft at university level for 12 years before dedicating herself to her own work
- Coiling is her favourite technique
Pınar Baklan always wanted to be an artist, and it was when she entered the ceramics department at university that she connected with the material best able to express her. After learning and producing ceramics as a student at Hacettepe University’s Fine Arts Faculty, Pınar began a professional career in ceramics by pursuing a master’s degree and a PhD in the same department. After an academic career of 12 years of teaching at university level, Pınar opened her own workshop in 2020. This allowed her to dedicate herself fully to her own creations. “My work is about creating something out of nothing, using a very delicate and extraordinary material, that is incredibly plastic and capable of producing anything," says the artisan. Pınar has expertise in many ceramic art techniques, but is a master in shaping by coils.
Interview
- What does 'well made' mean to you?
- It is a work that perfectly matches a design that I have dreamed of and sketched many times. When I can create exactly what I designed, I can call it a well made piece of work.
- How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?
- Ceramic art comes from pottery, that is, from function and tradition. I work with the oldest and most traditional material in the world. My favourite thing to do is to create very modern abstract forms with such a traditional material.
- How would you define what you do?
- Creating something out of nothing, using a very delicate and extraordinary material that is incredibly plastic and capable of producing anything.
- Is there something about your work that would surprise people?
- I share all the details about my work with everyone. Ceramics are fragile, of course. But it is also the oldest and most durable material that has existed and endured long enough to give us information about human history.
Pınar Baklan is a master artisan: she began her career in 2007 and she started teaching in 2007
Works
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Pınar Baklan
