He’s Polish and Living In Australia | Rafal Kaczmarek | Episode 984

Rafal Kaczmarek | Episode 984

Originally hailing from Krakow, Poland, Rafal Kaczmarek now lives and works in Melbourne’s west. Rafal’s pottery features earthy, organic tones and a minimalist aesthetic. By applying glazes with a light touch – and allowing the warmth and rawness of natural stoneware to come through – Rafal gives each and every piece its own authentic character.

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I’m curious, outside of your family, do you know who your biggest supporters are?

I would say people who are basically creative and like something in their surroundings, their house which is connecting their place to nature. Which I think is one of the purposes I am trying to keep my pottery really connected to, the surroundings of nature.

Do you have a bunch of repeat customers? People who come back again and again?

Surprisingly yes, I am enjoying the connection of this because you actually can learn a lot from it. So you talk to someone who is using a lot everyday there’s some kind of constructive feedback. Without a doubt that’s really important for me.

Do you sell your work online?

No so much these days but yes, I am trying to do updates a few times a year. Mostly sending for the shops and galleries and occasional markets and website as well.

As an Australian potter do you have to do a lot of international shipping?

A little bit, yes. Not so much. Usually it is within Australia or the Melbourne area.

As a full time gig how do you keep yourself inspired?

Great question. I think everyday inspiration comes from work itself. So basically my inspiration is in clay, basically how it works. It can be dry or it can be too wet or the glaze didn’t work. And that’s a really kind of creative for me to actually discover something that is better.

Do you have a hobby outside of ceramics?

Yes, I have. I play drums. I have played music for quite some time and I have various different people I play music with in bands. So I think this is my biggest hobby.