Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Chiara Della Santina | Episode 591
Chiara Della Santina was born and raised in Tuscany but spent many years living abroad. Chiara moved back to Orbetello (her hometown) 5 years ago. For many years Chiara worked as a language teacher. About 2 years ago Chiara decided to shake up her life and become a full-time potter. So far it’s been the best decision Chiara ever made in her entire life!
CELEBRATE EPISODE 600!
Don’t forget to pause at the end and include your email address and Instagram account.
SPONSORS
You can help support the show!
GRPotteryForms.com
Number 1 brand in America for a reason. Skutt.com
For all your ceramic needs go to Georgies.com
How much does your actual setting of living in Tuscany, how much does that background come out in your work?
I think a lot and I hope so because for me it is important that my pieces speak of where I am and who I am. So sometimes I focus on the decoration for example, some of the decorations that I add like when I carve the geometrical shapes those are sometimes inspired by Tuscan ancient pieces of art that were found in the area. But also the colors that I choose to use, for example, there is a plate that reminds me of the sand, the color is like a warm yellow, kind of sand-like glaze and the way I apply the glaze is a motion that for me is symbolizing the wind that blows your hair on the beach. And the texture of the plate, I use a groggy clay, stoneware that I hope kind of reminds the person that has it, of the sand, the roughness of the sand. So I try to incorporate these things in my work.
Is there any kind of message you are trying to communicate with your work or do you try to communicate a feel with your work?
Both. It depends on the work. It depends on where to inspiration for the piece comes from. Because for example some of the more abstract pieces that I make for example the plates, I like making abstract plates as well, and those ones I want to convey the feeling of movement and freedom and lightness and calling on the elements of nature. But with the other ones where I carve where I carve a sun and it has a partner with a matching moon so for me the message behind those would be a balance between the opposites between the yin and yang. Some of my bowls with stripes, they are not just stripes for me, they are all matching so that there is always some sort of balance between the elements. Also the choice of using geometrical decorations because I think geometrical patterns speak to a very subconscious level to people, so if you a square you know what it is. You do not need it explained to you. There s so much we can do and so many messages we can convey just by using lines.
What are the sources of influence on your work? Where do you find your influence?
Nature first of all. I love observing the moon, the sky, the sea, the horizon. I have a beautiful view from my studio in my home and I can see this lagoon with all these birds, it is just beautiful. I can see some beautiful sun rises. But also my personal story. I practice yoga, I do a lot of meditation, and I have always been very interested in ancient traditions like Taoism and Buddhism and all these things. I started reading about these things when I was really young, when I was sixteen or seventeen years old. So that shaped my understanding of the world. So sometimes I see something and I don’t just stop at the way it looks from the exterior but I see maybe a message beyond that and I try to represent that in my work.
Do you have a business plan?
No! I am terrible at that. (laughter) That is my first priority for next year. Yes. I try to keep track of the pieces that I sell and my expenses. I have an excel sheet but sometimes I forget to keep track of things but I am getting there.
How do you find opportunities?
That’s interesting. That is a good question. The online world for me is vital because my hometown is small, as I was saying, there are not many people around in winter so I cannot really on just a shop here so Instagram is a great source of opportunity if you are willing to be open with people and reach out to people, be professional, and work together with other makers. I find that building a network with other makers is really fundamental, at least here in Italy with the situation we have with the economic crisis. It is really important to stand together and also participating in markets or art fairs or shows. Wherever there is a chance of coming into contact with people who are either interested in hand made objects or who are in the field.
How do you see yourself in terms of where you fit in the ceramic world or the art world?
I see myself as one of the first Italian ceramists, obviously there is probably many of us, but the first if you look at it as a generation of makers, together with others, one of the first who is trying to make something that is different from the tradition. Because we have a strong tradition of Majolica with its classical colorful tiles, jars, and plates, and fish, they are beautiful, there is nothing wrong with them, but I think I am one of the ones who is trying to create a more individual and artistic approach to making ceramics nowadays.
How do you price your work?
It’s tough. I recently raised my prices just two months ago because I realized that my prices were not sustainable. I try to time myself when I make a new piece to see how much time it takes me to make it. I also try to keep track of , obviously, how much clay I use and the glazes and all the materials that I use but also it is eventually a combination of how much I feel that piece should cost and also some research of similar items and I see where I think my piece fits. It is not easy. I feel that it is a process that is always going to change, my prices are always going to change but I tend to under price my work but I owe it to my business if I want to be able to continue to be able to do this.
Book
The Silent Transformations by Francois Jullien
The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra
Contact
Instagram: @claireluneceramics