Pálma Babos

Porcelain maker

©András Bozsó

Rethinking and recycling porcelain

Pálma is famous for her porcelain sculptures called the collapsing towers
She was the Chief Artist of the Herend Porcelain Manufactory for 3 years
Her works reflect on our social and environmental challenges

Pálma Babos has been in love with porcelain since she graduated from the College of Applied Arts in 1985. She believes that this material is so clean, white, versatile and elementary at the same time that it resembles fine marble. Pálma has had a busy career - she was the artistic director of the world-famous Porcelain manufacturer in Herend for 3 years, winning multiple prizes and a prestigious residential fellowship in Japan, yet she remains intrigued by ceramics. There are still a number of questions – both philosophical and structural – that keep her preoccupied, and until she finds the answers, she can’t stop experimenting with particular shapes. “First I always raise a question then I start to analyse it. It could take years. For example I was dealing with pipe structures some time ago, and when I recognized that the creation had become repetitive rather than explorative, I knew I must immediately abandon these forms,” she explains.

Interview

©András Bozsó

©András Bozsó

What would you consider as a highlight in your career?: What I find important is not a certain job or award, but that after many years of practising, I can finally transmit thoughts through the ceramics. It’s not about struggling with the material anymore, but simply communicating via porcelain. My purpose is to hold a mirror to ourselves through the artworks.
Are you still experimenting with shapes of collapsing towers?: I started to create these sculptures ten years ago, but I’m still obsessed with them. These buildings reflect on the unsustainable nature of our world, and as I’ve developed this idea further, I’ve just begun to create ruins. In this case I use a completely different method than I had before: I’m working with recycled porcelain.
Do you use 3D printing?: I always find it exciting how the appearance of new technology affects shapes, therefore I’ve just taken up creating models by using a 3D printer. I am amused by the accuracy of 3D printing and its classical transformation of porcelain. The piece created in this way does not deform in the kiln at all.
How does Japanese and Hungarian porcelain differ?: There are essential features that set the Japanese and the European porcelain industry apart. For instance, in Japan the potter’s wheel is commonly used, while creating plastic models is typically a European invention. The Hungarian Herend Porcelain Manufactory has passed knowledge from generation to generation.

Pálma Babos is a master artisan: she began her career in 1988 and she started teaching in 1995