The colourful wheel of life
- Walter uses traditions passed down by his ancestors
- His work celebrates Sardinian heritage
- He specialises in making ceramics on the lathe
To create his colourful ceramics, Walter Usai follows the waning tradition that’s been in his family for over 150 years. He loves using colour – the brighter the better – and collaborating with others to create original objects that are connected to Sardinia’s vibrant history. Walter began learning his craft from his father at an early age. Mastering all the techniques of the lathe, he is afraid that his life’s work, which has existed for a millennium, is destined to disappear. Regardless of the future, Walter gets great satisfaction from his trade, which to learn requires consistency, patience, and above all, humility.
Discover his work
INTERVIEW
The first thing I made on a potter’s lathe was a “Scivedda” - a Sardinian container used to hold bread and pastries. I learned everything there was to learn from my father and am proud to continue a family tradition that dates back to 1840. Today I specialise in making ceramics on the lathe.
All my work as a ceramicist is linked to the customs and history of the island. Each piece is inspired by traditional Sardinian ceramics, but thanks to innovations and collaborations with architects and designers we can make original objects, each different from the other.
I love opening the oven and seeing my creations shining with color. For me, this work lets you turn your imagination into something concrete. It’s an ancient craft yet remains original and alive.
Unfortunately, I think it is destined to disappear. New generations aren’t interested in this profession even though it has existed for millennia. I get great satisfaction from my art, but to learn to make pottery, you need consistency, patience, and above all, humility.
