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Yerevan, Armenia

Ruben Pap

Ceramicist

The miracle of ceramics

  • Ruben was always certain he wanted to master a craft
  • He is inspired by the freedom and uncertainty of making
  • Turquoise glaze is his maker's signature

Ruben Pap started to learn ceramics when he was 22 and it took him almost ten years to become a professional. Blending art, design and function with traditional, modern or experimental techniques, Ruben brings a new touch to an age-old tradition. He considers the turquoise glaze used in his works, as his signature. Ruben’s pieces follow his philosophy: the idea of freedom and uncertainty inspires him mostly, because when he makes a piece, he never knows what will happen next. He describes the process of making as a miracle that repeats itself. Ruben uses traditional wheel throwing and forming techniques, mixed with some cutting, shaping and altering to create cups, vases, plates and other decorations. He strongly believes that a master's work reflects the person who made it, in his case it shows his inner freedom.


Interview

©Christina Malkhasyan
©Christina Malkhasyan
What led you into working with ceramics?
I was always passionate about learning a craft. I started to learn and work in a ceramics studio when I was 22 years old. I started to experiment with clay and slowly it became close to my heart. After 10 years, I opened my own ceramics studio.
How did you develop your own colour palette and style?
I experimented with different shades of blues and clays and eventually the turquoise colour has become my signature colour. You can notice in my works that the blue is on top of the natural tone of the brown clay. To me it doesn’t have any limit and the turquoise glaze doesn’t have any shape.
What inspires you while working with clay?
The idea of freedom and uncertainty inspires me, because when I am making a piece, I never know what is going to happen. Is it going to explode in the oven? Will the colours stay on the clay? It’s a miracle that repeats all the time.
How did you develop your individual techniques?
I use traditional wheel-throwing and forming techniques, mixed with some occasional cutting and altering to create linear structure in some forms. I think the repetition associated with any craft naturally leads to the development of a technique.
Ruben Pap is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2012

Where


Ruben Pap

Address: Komitas Street 49/3, 14, Yerevan, Armenia
Hours: By appointment only
Phone: +374 95688684
Languages: Armenian, English, Russian
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