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Aegina, Greece

Katerina Giannaka

Ceramicist

Transforming her life experiences into art

  • Katerina lives on the island of Aegina
  • Her garden is a great source of inspiration
  • She loves to experiment and create with all kinds of materials

Katerina Giannaka started experimenting with ceramics quite suddenly following a challenging health problem. “I remember very well the moment I decided to pick up this craft. In 2006 I returned home after one and a half years of treatment for blood cancer, and all of a sudden, I realised that I wanted to do pottery. I started very passionately and that’s how I've continued up to this day, trying to combine painting with pottery.” Katerina considers herself a painter first; ceramics has simply allowed her to create a unique surface upon which she can paint. “Everything I do comes out of filtering the images that surround me. What I love most about the objects I create is to see my life experiences transformed into a piece of art.”


Interview

©All rights reserved
©All rights reserved
Has there been a memorable moment in your professional life?
During my first ceramics exhibition my teacher Yiannis Moralis visited when I wasn't there. Later he called me to say he thought my work was very personal and successful. I was so excited to hear that because I trusted his opinion greatly. That gave me the strength and courage to continue.
How do you express tradition in your work?
I am deeply touched by folk art and traditions from all over the globe. Tradition lives inside me and finds expression in my work very naturally, even though my artwork is not directly linked to a specific traditional technique.
What does 'well made' mean to you?
For me, it means that the artist has used perfect technique and effort to push the materials to their limits. But neither of these two elements characterises my work, which is based primarily on spontaneity coupled with my experience of design and colour.
What would you say to a young artist who wants to follow your path?
I would tell them that first and foremost, they should search inside themselves to truly realise if they are available to follow this path or not. The work of an artist is incredibly lonely and requires great mental and spiritual strength.
Katerina Giannaka is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2006

Where


Katerina Giannaka

Address: Kipselis Avenue 58, 180 10, Aegina, Greece
Hours: By appointment only
Phone: +30 6937435583
Languages: Greek, French, English, Italian
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