Vanessa Singenzia

UAU

Ceramicist

©Oscar Ugvari & Amanda Maier

Ceramic objects with a twist

Vanessa uses hand-building techniques, such as coiling and slab building
She teaches ceramic classes to people interested in pottery
Her objects reflect abstract ideas in bold colours and simple shapes

With a background in interior architecture and scenography, Vanessa Singenzia moved back to her hometown after studying and working in Paris in her early twenties. She enrolled at the University of Arts and Design in Cluj-Napoca in 2016 and opened her studio in 2017. A year spent in Spain, within the Erasmus programme, influenced her creative style as she adopted a more intimate approach towards her work so that form and function could coexist organically. She finds collaborative projects with artists or studios with whom she does not necessarily share the same craft. "New perspectives over a body of work are shared, and each of us learns something new throughout the process, something that later will serve us in our own practice", she states.

Interview

©Oscar Ugvari & Amanda Maier

©Oscar Ugvari & Amanda Maier

What are your sources of inspiration?: Italian design from the 1960s and 1980s. Maybe it is because my father has Italian roots or because of all the colour contrasts and combinations that spark through my head when I think about it. In parallel to this, Nature has always been a part of my life, so a lot of my inspiration comes from nature as well.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: I still work traditionally as all my creations are hand built through techniques such as coiling and slab building. As regards innovation, it comes naturally into the process, as you always have to get innovative with clay or any other ceramic material to become better at what you do.
What does well made mean to you?: With my technical background, I am expected to say that a well made object must be a good mix of functionality, ergonomics and rationality. However, I consider it to be something that goes beyond these limits, impacting people's physical and emotional senses.
What is the most difficult aspect of your craft?: It is learning to accept that ceramic has its fragility and that due to various factors you might have to redo your work from scratch. The finished object continues to have a fragility to it, which calls for special attention and nurturing to keep it for a lifetime. This adds some kind of ephemeral value to the piece.

Vanessa Singenzia is a rising star: she began her career in 2018 and she started teaching in 2021