New & now
Maltese ceramicist has been making waves in London & now plans to open studio in Tallinn
Tiziana Galea Schembri has big plans.

Sarah Micallef

TIZ

“I picked up a piece of clay when I was 11 and never put it down,” smiles Tiziana Galea Schembri, a Maltese ceramicist currently based in London. “I was introduced to ceramics during a summer course run by Anna Ciavola in Żebbuġ, and I loved it so much that I just kept going.”

Since then, the largely self-taught ceramicist has worked in studios in Edinburgh, East London and Tallinn, and enjoys experimenting with different techniques and glazes. Tiziana left her native Malta several years ago, initially moving to Edinburgh, where she shared a studio space in an arts complex and had her work featured in exhibitions and sold in a local shop, before relocating to London, where she set up at Glebe Road Studios. She attributes her time in London, working with other creatives, as a valuable learning experience, and sells her wares at ceramic and craft markets like the Independent Ceramic and DIY Art Market.

The majority of her work, she tells me, is wheel-thrown, and her favoured material is stoneware, for which she mixes her own high-fire glazes. She’s also recently attended a throwing course at La Meridiana Ceramic School in Italy, and is now looking forward to another move: to Tallinn, Estonia. Here, I catch up with Tiziana for a little chat.

How would you describe the style of your work?

“My work is mostly functional and, as I am obsessed with food and eating it, a lot of the pieces I make would easily find a place in one’s kitchen or home. I would say I am influenced by natural forms and colours that would normally be found in nature. I’ve recently also been experimenting with more historical forms such as those seen in Etruscan pottery. I like to include a modern spin by attaching contemporary handles or certain patterns using underglazes. They may not always be functional, but I hope that they evoke a memory of a piece.”

What have been some of the highlights in your journey so far?

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“During the summer I moved to Tallinn and worked at Asuurkeraamika Studios, and I also completed a set of tableware commissioned by a London restaurant. Taking time out of my day job (dental surgery) and working full-time as a ceramicist helped me learn how to manage my time better and realise that this is something I should pursue! This has been a valuable experience and has spurred my desire to set up my own studio – so much so that in December I will be moving to Tallinn to set up my business there.”

What have been some of your favourite pieces?

“One of my favourite pieces is a wall sculpture I made for a Maltese client. She liked my style and gave me free reign, so I was able to express myself fully. It gave me the confidence to create more sculptural work, and once I have my own studio I wish to produce more artistic pieces alongside functional work.

“Over the last two months I busied myself with an order for a London restaurant, which included around 30 plates and 10 bowls. I was living and working in Tallinn and learned so much through trial-and-error – I had to remake items a couple of times because I wasn’t experienced with production on such a scale, and was experimenting with different clay, a new clay supplier and new glazes, as well as a different kiln to the one I was used to in London. I am now working with a cafe to develop a line of coffee cups for their cafeteria, and I’m also in the process of collaborating with someone who specialises in fermented food products such as kimchi and kefir, creating fermenting pots for them to use during demonstrations and lessons.”

What do you enjoy most about working with ceramics?

This Maltese ceramicist has been making waves in London & plans to open studio in Tallinn

 

“This is a question a lot of people ask! What draws me to clay is the tactile and versatile nature of it. It is a forgiving material before it is fired, and so I feel I can experiment with it. When firing the pieces for the second time after applying coloured glazes, there is always that uncertainty that the end result may or may not be what you expected. This excites me every time the pieces are fired. I also enjoy the fact that I get engrossed in it and time flies quickly when I am working. I work a lot, late into most nights, but I love what I do.”

What are your primary focuses in relation to your ceramics work, currently?

“At the moment I’m working against the clock to finish off some pieces for an exhibition in London’s Espacio Gallery. After that, I’ll turn my focus back to building up my portfolio of work for restaurants and cafés.”

What are your goals for the future?

“I want to continue experimenting with larger thrown forms. I’m constantly learning from mistakes and failed firings. I would also like to focus on glaze development and experiment with different clay bodies. The end goal would hopefully be larger work forms and an exhibition.

“I wish to create work that is not only functional but also beautiful to look at. Whenever I make something, I want people to see that I have pushed myself a little and grown in a way that is different to where I started off. I’d also love to collaborate with more chefs and food enthusiasts to develop functional pieces tailored to their needs.”

Are you a fan of Tiziana’s work? Follow her on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

27th November 2018



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