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Alex Mrachkovskiy | Episode 1151
Alex Mrachkovskiy has been working with ceramics since 2012. Alex likes exploring different textures — carving, scratching, and cutting into the surface. Alex enjoys trying out different techniques and following what feels interesting. A lot of inspiration comes from nature. Alex’s pieces are about process, touch, and the small details.
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How do you organize or structure your day as a maker?
It is very spontaneous. I try to be more structured. A few days I’m carving, a few days I’m painting. I try to have my mugs in one place near me and not go from one place to another in the studio. I try not to just make one thing but a few of them.
What is the piece that you enjoy to make the most?
It’s a hard question because I really enjoyed my last works only I finished them. (laughter)
Do you ever get stuck where you have a hard time getting started on a piece?
Absolutely, I have a hard time, sometimes I don’t have ideas. Sometimes I don’t have motivation. And sometimes I have in myself walking around or riding a bicycle just to feel that I am ready to make something new.
How do you know how to stop making a piece, like when it’s finished?
It is also a hard question because I never know how it will be finished. Sometimes I just make rough shapes, rough clay, and start carving it or start molding something and then carving it and I feel like it’s okay in the process. It is more spontaneous work.
Do you have a story in your mind for some of your pieces that you make?
No, no, it’s not my way of thinking. I don’t have stories or tales or something like that. The only thing I have is an abstract imagination. For example my mugs have rustic handles and they are inspired by the Ukraine which was the USSR and it collapsed and we somehow live here in post-apocalyptic from the USSR. Buildings were left and rusted and this way of feeling is inspired by surroundings.
Has being in the army inspired any of your work?
Not particular works but it inspired me to make something because my hands really need to make something from clay. (laughter) I am not a conceptual artist who makes ideas to speak with my medium. I just make an impression of my imagined world.
If you are faced with making a big decision, how do you decide what is the right thing to do?
I don’t know, it’s like maybe I mostly avoid making big decisions, (laughter) and feel like my fate will work. I don’t know because maybe I am not adult enough to make big decisions. It’s hard because I make bad decisions so I do not recommend to listen to me. (laughter)
Book
Man’s Search For Meaning by Victor Frankl
Contact
Instagram: @alexmrachkovskiy