Simon Zsolt József
Ceramicist
Pécs, Hungary
Capturing a sense of movement
- Simon masters many art forms
- He innovates traditional slip casting techniques
- His artistic creations are influenced by organic movement
Simon Zsolt József was around 12 years old when he met the only potter in his hometown, and this fortuitous meeting inspired him to dedicate himself to ceramics. He studied porcelain painting at Fischer Mor Porcelain Industrial Vocational School in Herend, and upon graduating he travelled around the world. During this time, he drew a lot, experimenting and developing a style true to himself and his passion for movement. Upon returning to Hungary, he started to adapt this drawing style to his work as a porcelain maker and painter. Over the years, he has complemented his previous studies with numerous other studies in music, drama, painting, teaching and porcelain design.
INTERVIEW
After studying porcelain painting, I trained as a porcelain designer at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Budapest. Long before that, my first artworks were paintings. I have been painting since the age of three.
While at University my master was Éva Kádasi. I had a master for painting called Zoltán Döbröntei and for movement Martin Baker, Paul Harnischfeger and Kim Payne. All these skilled masters have influenced my artistic direction.
My inspiration comes from medieval stone carvings, architecture, archaic Greek sculptures, Middle Eastern ornaments and vegetation. I make porcelain pieces with functional purposes and decorative pieces that border on art using the slip casting technique I developed myself.
I spent my 40th birthday in Japan. That was my first invitation to give a lecture and present my work at the Sasama festival. It changed my way of thinking about my skills and talent. Before this, I had never thought that I would enjoy speaking passionately about my work.
