Silvia K

Ceramicist

©Emma Croman

Beautifully simple, simply beautiful

Silvia is inspired by historical folk objects
In 2016 she was awarded the Elle Decoration Design Award
Her signature style is to combine ceramics and leather

Born in Slovakia, Silvia Kamodyova arrived in England in 1999 with the aim of improving her English. She fell in love with ceramics and, in 2012, after graduating from Brighton University, opened her first studio in the same city. Coming from a country of rich cultural heritage, she finds inspiration in artisanal products from around the Mediterranean. She channels this into her own tableware and terracotta vessels, which interpret folk objects in a contemporary way, with a strong focus on function and colour. In search of authenticity, every aspect of her production takes place in-house: she uses the wheel to throw the initial shape instead of drawing it, then makes the mould, mixes casting slip, makes glazes and cuts leather.

Interview

©Emma Croman

©Emma Croman

Why is function so important in your objects?: Maybe it is because I feel that nowadays everything is so complicated and there is too much of everything. I’m fascinated by old relics that transport me to a different time and place and by the simple beauty of farming vessels like wooden storage containers and herdsman's buckets.
This fascination goes back to your childhood...: The juxtaposition between ceramic and leather was inspired by my grandad. Every time the handle of his basket broke off, he used to replace it with an old leather belt just to make it last a little bit longer. But it is also part of the Slovak heritage. Herdsmen and shepherds always had leather in the objects they used.
Your palette seems dominated by earthy colours.: My colours are broken down from all the over-decorated majolica pieces that my mum had in her kitchen. I have 15 colours in my catalogue and I’m playing with that. It is interesting to see how people choose colour depending on their location. In the UK, most people go for muted blues, greys and black, whereas in Spain and France, they go for happier tones.
How do you prefer to be defined: as an artisan or artist?: Artisan suits me best because I’m creative but I don’t do conceptual work. Craft can be art and there is a very fine line between the two, but craft is perceived in different ways depending on the country.

Silvia K is a master artisan: she began her career in 2008 and she started teaching in 2015