Edina Andrási

Porcelain maker

Free spirited porcelain

Edina believes experimentation leads to the best outcomes
Her paper-porcelain technique is a constant companion in her work
She is inspired by fine arts and architecture

During her studies, Edina Andrási's interests varied between different artistic fields and it wasn't until she found herself in a major ceramics studio that she became aware of the diversity of this craft. Ceramics appeared as the field that could truly integrate all her interests and artistic ambitions. Edina was first attracted to painted, screened and matted graphic surfaces, then to the many shaping possibilities of functional objects, and finally to sculpture as the freest form of experimentation and expression. She has developed a technique to leave the imprint of paper on porcelain which she uses to create colourful patterns on her lamps and tableware creations. Edina has a deep love for her studio: it has become the place she visits when she feels the need for solitude and silence, or just to be in the company of her own thoughts.

Interview

What is your favourite thing about your work?: It is always delightful to visit exhibitions, design fairs, to meet other craftsmen, designers, and to see all the new creative ideas and efforts put into transforming our life and surroundings. It feels uplifting when I see interesting designs and demanding craftwork. It makes me proud to belong to this un-dogmatic group of people.
What do you think makes an object really stand out?: I feel fortunate that my working method allows material testing and free, creative experimentation to precede the birth of a functional item. If I was designing only for the purpose of fulfilling a certain function, I would get different results. To me, experimentation is the key to uniqueness.
Do you have any unique skills?: I am constantly working on new material experiments. I have developed a new translucent layered porcelain material which is suitable for forming delightfully detailed decorations. I also use a special mixture of paper and porcelain: the structure of the paper is visible and produces patterns and ornaments on the porcelain.
How do you combine tradition and innovation in your work?: It is really important to me that my items are handmade, and I try to design in a way that allows me to modify an object at as many points and stages as possible. Still, there are some workflows where the need for precision requires me to use digital technologies such as 3D printing or laser cutting.

Edina Andrási is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2008 and she started teaching in 2020