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Linda Engstrom | Episode 550

Linda Engstrom has been an environmental activist since 12 yrs old. Linda went to College Art Studies and focused on illustration, prints, and photography. Linda is a freelance photographer and lived in Spain when she was 24-32 yrs old. Linda moved back to Sweden 2011. Linda has dealt with depression and PTSD. Ceramics gives peace of mind to Linda.

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Why is making ceramics important to you personally?

It is a way of expressing everything really. I really am so grateful, like I said, I am so grateful that I have this way, this technique and material that I can use to express frustration or love or get some kind of information across to others. I think some people write or sing, or I also dance, but that is another story. It is a language of its own. I think it is really amazing what you can do. There are millions of ways of expressing with the same material. It is really fascinating.

Why is ceramics important to the world or that there is handmade?

I think that it’s very important. I think that for me when I am thinking about what we would be, that we want to do more of is try to make things a little slower, a little more aware, try to be a little more respectful to everything around us really. If I make something with my hands, if I make a pot, if I grow vegetables, or if I work in wood, I will have so much more respect for that product that I am making. Of course, you can go to any store and you can buy a ceramic pot but it’s not that Well, that’s the hard part to make your feelings come across in the work. I think if you do it right you will get there and also that’s also a nice way if you can go to markets and talk to people and see the people that buy your stuff.

Can ceramics make a difference in the world?

I think art can. And ceramics is an art form, so I would say absolutely. For example, since I am in this climate awareness bubble at the moment, I also wanted to use it to raise awarenss about what is happening. For example I created a hashtag that is #pottersforfuture that is related to a Swedish activist who has a campaign called #fridaysforfuture . A lot of branches, a lot of people raising awareness in their field. And I think this field, I mean why not, we should all try to make a difference in the way we can and if we do it in our family, in our house, or in our working place, and in our studio, I think that is pretty important.

How does the hashtag make a difference in the world?

This is all about communication. Social media is a social media so we communicate with each other there and we talk to each other by computer or face to face. These are just objects with a hashtag but eventually we start to think, what are we doing, what is she trying to tell me and why?  To start to talk to each other and be more aware of our choices and how we produce and how we consume. What do we like in life? What do we prioritize? I really think that we are just people on this planet, we just have to talk with each other and do it together.

There is controversy about climate change. Tell me about your thoughts about where it is as a maker and potter. 

As a potter? I mean the climate issue, we have to believe in the persons that are professionals in this area, like climate scientists for example. I wouldn’t tell my doctor, No, I don’t believe in cancer. 

Well said. 

We have to look at it that way. It is not a party political issue, it is not, I don’t know, a commercial issue. It is not an economical issue-somehow it is as well, but you have to think it could just affect anybody,  at any point, at any time, it doesn’t matter who you vote for or where you live or how much money your earn. It will just hit unfortunately and I think we just have to work together. I don”t know, I am just doing my best to try to not be too harsh about it but sometimes I get  a sad feeling because it is too slow really. Let’s just say it is a big joke, I don’t think the way we would have to change would be a bad thing. We would have a better life. We are stressed out and we have a bad conscious and we don’t see our kids. I mean our lives, are they really perfect the way they are? I don’t think so. I think this could be a nice transition, actually.

Why does it matter to you personally?

Well it matters because, like I said, lately I’ve been thinking a lot about that little girl that was really struggling when she was 12 and she thought nobody really cared. And now I am 40 years old with kids on of my own and I am again in the same position struggling and I feel like nobody cares. I think of course, you get frustrated with a lot of things but I have to do what I believe is the best that I can do. You don’t have to be perfect, I just have to be able to look my kids in the eye in 30 years time and say I did what I could do with what I had at the moment everyday and that’s it. My children are picking up litter on the streets and I mean this comes to them naturally because they see that garbage doesn’t belong in nature. I think it is beautiful that they are like this naturally. They know what to do.

Do you have a favorite quote that helps you keep centered or grounded in life?

The path to simplicity is long because I think that is what I am trying to do. Just stay quiet, stay aware, be in the moment with my kids instead of doing a trillion things. Just taking one thing at a time. It is hard and I think that is important.

Book

The Medici Effect by Frans Johnansson

Contact

saltjord.se

Instagram: @saltjord