Robbie Mazzaro

Ceramicist

©Inigo Taylor

Capturing nature in ceramics

Robbie’s ceramic creations have been exhibited globally
Her first ever ceramic creation was a hanging plant pot
In 2012, she rediscovered her ceramic-making passion

Robbie Mazzaro’s journey into craftsmanship is as interesting and varied as the ceramics she carefully shapes. Her love for the craft began from a very young age, when she would often visit a pottery studio with her father back in her hometown of Caracas. While working within the business and commercial sectors in Rome, her yearning for a more fulfilling, creative endeavour led her to take a course in basic ceramics, which re-ignited her passion for the craft. Following a masters degree, she decided to pursue ceramics full-time and attended numerous courses while picking up specific techniques such as bucchero, raku and metal effects in reductions. For Robbie, crafting ceramics is almost a meditative practice, one that allows her to express her artistic creativity to the fullest.

Interview

©Inigo Taylor

©Inigo Taylor

What is your advice to aspiring ceramicists?: Never think that your ideas exist beyond your possibilities and capabilities. Don’t place limits on what you can and cannot do, and always keep your focus on accomplishing one thing at a time.
What is your favourite part of your craft?: I’m in love with the versatility of clay. I love the feelings evoked whilst modelling; the transformation of the material, and the idea of creating something unique through which I represent myself, my thoughts and emotions with endless possibilities.
How would you describe your creative process?: It is based on a continuous research for balance and harmony between shapes, textures, colours, compositions and materials. I love the contrast between the clay and glazes, the organic and irregular shapes and borders, and I am always trying to balance perfection and imperfection.
What is your greatest source of inspiration?: Nature – without a doubt. I have always been fascinated by the complex and beautiful natural structures and textures that are found in plants, tree bark, seedpods, coral and shells. Nature is an unfailing source of inspiration and I love to capture it in my work.

Robbie Mazzaro is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2013 and she started teaching in 2020