Zsuzsa Boldizsár

Ceramicist

©Gergely György Németh

Embroidered ceramics

Zsuzsa experiments with different materials and techniques
She combines embroidery and ceramics
She uses dye between porcelain layers, a unique technical feat

Zsuzsa Boldizsár has always been captivated by the feeling of ‘flow’ when she is completely immersed, absorbed in the creative process. This meditative state is extremely inspiring to her – in addition to the multitude of expression possibilities arising from ceramics. She experiments a lot with pieces that combine traditions of porcelain making and those of decorative embroidery, which are intensely present in her own family traditions. Her pierced and embroidered items are items located at the border of everyday objects and works of fine art. In her latest works, she has been researching the technical possibilities of porcelain making: for example, she was able to implement dying material between the single porcelain layers using a unique method developed by herself.

Interview

©Miklós Vargha

©Róbert Banczik, International Ceramics Studio

How does your work relate to tradition?: I am mostly connected to the traditions of European porcelain production, but for example in my collection Folk, I combined these traditions with the treasures of Hungarian folk culture, especially embroidery. I find it exciting to mix different traditions within a single object.
What do you like best about your job?: The ability of ceramics to combine craftsmanship, design, fine arts, and other materials (such as textiles in the case of embroidery). It is a special, yet very direct medium.
Why do you use human hair for embroidery?: I originally made my work, Hair Ornamentation, for an eat-art happening. It is decorated with a braid made of human hair, applied to the perforated porcelain wall. For me the subject is on the verge between usable and unusable, valuable and worthless, living and inanimate concepts.
What do you think about the future of ceramics?: I believe that ceramic design is and will always be popular. Since the beginning of the 2000s, handicrafts have become more and more valued. At the same time, I definitely do see difficulties for ceramic companies and manufacturers, but that’s another story.

Zsuzsa Boldizsár is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1996