Martina Franić

Pepel

Ceramicist

©Marija Gašparović

A meditation on ceramics

Martina is a self-taught ceramicist with a costume design background
She is fascinated by natural processes and raw materials
Meditation is an integral part of her process

"For years I worked as a costume designer on exhausting film sets," says Martina Franić. "Suddenly I needed more peace for my creativity. This is how I discovered clay. I was impressed with clay as a material, and the process of firing and glazing. I especially loved that this material is found in nature. I loved the peace surrounding the clay.” Martina started her discovery of ceramics by using a potter's wheel at the School of Applied Arts, and gradually continued perfecting techniques at home on her own wheel, while in parallel discovering new techniques. After some years of practice, she started her own shop, named Pepel, in the centre of Zagreb, where she creates and sells handmade functional and artistic ceramics.

Interview

©Marija Gašparović

©Marija Gašparović

Why Pepel?: Pepel', which translates as 'ash', is the quieting remnant of a fire. The potential of ash for finishing, as a coating or glaze, has been harnessed by ceramicists since the beginning. Ash can give an unbelievable spectrum of colours. It is my constant fascination.
What are your sources of inspiration?: Mainly elementary ceramics, where form gives preference to material and function. But also nature, architecture, sculpture, textiles, the firing of ceramics in wood kilns, glazes made of local clays and minerals. Traditional techniques and heritage are also important resources.
Which part of the working process do you like the most?: I pay special attention to the invisible and unspoken, so while making, I let my hands guide me and express what they know. I love it when the clay slides through my fingers and the form appears before my eyes. Meditation is an integral part of dealing with ceramics.
What makes an object well made?: Two criteria are of utmost importance. First, I have to feel the stability of the movement in a piece, meaning the requirements of the profession are met. And second, an artistic impression has to be achieved, meaning the subject has its own independent life.

Martina Franić is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2014