Spring has been a busy time in my pottery studio. From craft markets to new commissions, not to mention open days and the challenges that arise when you’re trying to keep growing, these past few months have been full of activity, hard work and learning.
An encounter with traditional crafts during Holy Week
During Holy Week, I went to the market See you next year, in Carnota, an opportunity to take my pieces out of the workshop and share them with the people who came along to see the artisans’ work.
Open Day at the Finisterre workshop
In early April, I also opened the doors of my workshop in Finisterre to mark the European Craft Days.
Opening the workshop allows us to share a part of that world. It is an invitation to look at ceramics in a new light and to discover the value of handcrafted work, of the small details and of the differences that make each piece unique.
It is also a way of bringing my creative world closer to the people who live on or visit this coast, which has been a source of inspiration for me for so many years.
Art Market in Santiago: a chance to meet other artists
On 11 April, I took part in Santiago de Compostela at the craft fair organised by “It’s not a done deal yet.”. Nearly 80 stalls brought together creators and craftspeople with a wide variety of work, and walking amongst them was an inspiring experience.
As well as showcasing my ceramic pieces, I particularly enjoyed the atmosphere that developed amongst the participants. I met some incredibly talented people, got to know new artists and was delighted to see familiar faces from other events again. I also loved being able to chat with other potters, share experiences and exchange ideas about our work.
New opportunities: my ceramics in shops in Santiago de Compostela
Whilst taking part in markets and holding open days at my workshop, I also continued to work on new pieces and look for venues where my creations could reach a wider audience.
It was a delight that two shops in Santiago de Compostela showed an interest in my work: Charande Crafts and Trisquel Crafts.
At the time, I was working on some new pieces that would be arriving in both shops very soon. ✨
For me, finding places that value handcrafted ceramics and have faith in my work was an important step. Behind every piece lay time, dedication and experimentation, as well as a personal exploration of shapes, colours and textures. So, knowing that my creations would spark interest beyond my own studio filled me with excitement and gave me the motivation to carry on.
Amidst trials and tribulations: finding a way to keep creating
Whilst I was preparing some new pieces in the studio, I was a bit out of touch. Those were weeks of learning and a lot of patience. One of the challenges was preparing the raku firing for the octopus legs.
The pieces were taller than my kiln, so I had to find a way to fire them. In the end, I built a ring that allowed me to gain a few centimetres in height and adapt the kiln to the dimensions of the sculptures.
Pottery reminded me that creating is not just about shaping a piece. It also involves problem-solving, adapting to circumstances and finding solutions when things don’t go as planned.
What’s more, during that period I had to adapt to another challenge: in less than a year, that was already the third place where I’d been firing the kilns. Each place had its advantages and its difficulties, and every change forced me to reorganise my work and find new ways of doing things.
A commission full of challenges and a creation that reaches its destination
In early June, the ceramic octopus legs finally reached their destination: the restaurant’s tables O Centolo, in Finisterre, where they would enjoy delicious meals whilst taking in views of the Atlantic.
The octopus is part of this coastline and has a visual power that draws me in. Its tentacles and organic forms offer a wealth of possibilities for working with volume and creating pieces that appear to be in motion.
When a creation leaves the workshop and finds its place, one stage of the process comes to an end and another begins. It becomes part of a different space and a different experience.
To continue creating, learning and finding new paths
Looking back, I see a spring full of activity: markets, gatherings, open days, commissions and experiences that have helped me to continue developing my work.
Each of these activities has its own value, but together they form part of something broader: the development of an artistic project that evolves over time.
Thank you for joining me on this journey and for taking an interest in the stories behind my pieces.
Viktória Szabó
Artistic ceramics and handcrafted raku in Galicia.
