Małgorzata Łyszczarz

Materia Ceramika

Ceramicist

©Małgorzata Łyszczarz & Michał Piszczałk

©Małgorzata Łyszczarz

The art of keeping it real

Małgorzata crafts functional, everyday vessels in neutral tones
She is inspired by Japanese aesthetics and schools of thought
Her small studio is in the heart of Wrocław

Art historian and interior designer by education, Małgorzata Łyszczarz chose ceramics as her true craft in 2016. She finds inspiration in Japanese heritage such as tea ceremonies and bonsai plants, nature, and regional tradition of Poland that guide her creative exploration. In her practice, she focuses on the creation of everyday vessels as a way of bringing art into the everyday. Małgorzata creates hand-formed pieces which are raw and imperfect, only partly glazed to reveal the true nature of clay beneath. "I use locally sourced clay and simple tools," she explains. Her work is a quiet tribute to craftsmanship and local economy, and celebrates the subtle bond between maker, material and place.

Interview

©Małgorzata Łyszczarz & Michał Piszczałk

©Małgorzata Łyszczarz & Michał Piszczałk

Do you remember when ceramics first moved you?: Yes, I clearly remember reading an article about the modernist ceramicist Lucie Rie. Her work, her process, and the way she approached both life and art left a lasting impression on me. It was a turning point.
How did your fascination with Japanese aesthetics begin?: While working on my master’s thesis about Tadao Ando, I became fascinated with Japanese aesthetics. The raw, imperfect chawans used in tea ceremonies felt closer to me than ornate Western porcelain. They have remained my key creative reference to this day.
Where do you draw inspiration from in your work?: I am inspired by plants, stones and flowing water. The textures and colours of natural forms such as bark, rocks, sand. The softness of the human body’s lines. I also draw inspiration from the work of other ceramicists, sculptors, painters, and architects, both contemporary and from the distant past.
Has your background in art history influenced your creative approach?: Absolutely. Studying art history gave me a strong awareness of overproduction and how often art is disconnected from everyday life. That is why I now create functional objects that feel close to people. They do not need to be perfect. What matters is that they have soul and serve a purpose.

Małgorzata Łyszczarz is a rising star: she began her career in 2016