Medea Qoqiashvili

Ori Ceramics

Ceramicist

©Lasha Adamashvili

©Leliaphotostudio

Telling human stories through ceramics

Medea started her career as a ceramist at the age of 16
80 percent of her works are made in Georgian red clay
Her main inspiration is human stories and emotions

A graduate of the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, Medea Qoqiashvili chose her artistic career at the age of 16, when she decided to express her feelings and human stories through clay and expressive shapes. “It felt wonderful to tell a story by modelling the details with my own hands. Sculpting is the nicest part of the process.” After finishing her studies, Medea worked at various ceramics workshops, where she received valuable experience from prominent ceramics masters, who gave her encouragement as well as freedom of creativity. Medea works on decorative objects – kitchenware and household items – by applying various techniques. “Ceramics has a crucial role in my life. It makes me feel accomplished, as I can express my thoughts, happiness and anger with it. Some people need a vacation or friends to relax and feel good; for me, clay is enough!”

Interview

©Lasha Adamashvili

©Lasha Adamashvili

In what way is your craft linked to your homeland?: Every artist brings a piece of tradition and geographic identity to their works. Even though I portray human histories with no nationality, they still bear the spirit of local imagery – I think it’s inevitable.
Have you mastered any specific techniques?: I use hand building, wheel throwing, painting, glazing and slip casting. The majority of my objects are made with Georgian red clay, which is the main peculiarity of my works. I use underglaze on the red clay and paint over the surface, which makes my technique unusual. The hand building technique is applied to tiny details to add an expressive touch to the works.
What are your sources of inspiration?: People and human stories – I love to portray the influence of surrounding events, political news and the emotions on human faces. Every detail is inspired by the stories of my friends, movies or new books. My works are very emotional and I think they express my visions of life.
What does well made mean to you?: It means a synthesis of quality. The content is what defines the work as complete. My emotions and the concept behind the works may be seen differently by different viewers, but does it matter? Everybody is free to interpret them how they wish.

Medea Qoqiashvili is a rising star she began her career in 2018