Sigita Olte

Wheel throwing for peace and enrichment

• Sigita founded Oltes Ceramics in 2018
• She specialises in stone mass tableware
• She is a graduate of the Art Academy of Latvia

Sigita Olte’s road to become a ceramicist started in high school, where she fell in love with the craft. Then came years at the Art Academy of Latvia, where she did a Masters degree with a monumental work, titled “Imprint” – a large scale fingerprint in nature, built from unburnt bricks – telling a story about the ever-changing world. In 2018, she opened her own workshop, Oltes Ceramics. She mostly creates her works by wheel throwing, using stone mass. The techniques and the materials used in her works represent the tradition. However, the innovations are the glazes and glazing techniques she uses and the shapes she creates. After all the years of practice, Sigita reckons she could make a dish on a wheel in three minutes, yet to completely finish an object it can take up to three weeks.

Interview

© Martins Vitols

© Kristine Niedraja

In what ways is your craft linked to your territory?

In my opinion, the craft of a ceramicist is universal. It can be found worldwide, it is no longer local. If in the past, workshops were developed around the places where materials, like clay, could be obtained, today everything can be transported. So, it is not like it used to be that you are attached to a place.

Have you mastered some special techniques?

During my studies, I have mastered various techniques – porcelain casting, modelling and wheel throwing, as well as various burning techniques – wood kiln, rake and others. On a daily basis, I mainly use wheel throwing as my main technique, this is my meditation and strength at the same time.

What inspires you and your work?

Definitely Nature! Nature inspires, recharges and relaxes me. There I find peace and enrichmen: gray clouds, pink heathers, trees, forests, sky, sunsets. Everything nature does is amazing and mighty.

How would you characterise what you do?

Firstly, it is a lifestyle and an inner calling. I feel like I have to do it, I can’t not create by wheel throwing. Secondly, it is my job – to support myself financially. Thirdly, it is an endless school. Pottery teaches to accept failure – in the process, various unexpected surprises occur quite often.

Sigita Olte is an she began her career in 2000

Works

©Sigita Olte

©Sigita Olte

©Sigita Olte

©Sigita Olte

©Sigita Olte

Where