Rosella Schembri

Space for Clay

Ceramicist

©Inigo Taylor

An affinity with ceramics

Rosella bought her first pottery wheel in 1996 after a course in Wales
She studied ceramics at The City and Guilds of London Institute
She opened her studio, Space for Clay, in 2011

Specialised in throwing on the pottery wheel, Rosella Schembri’s clay-shaping talents and studio, Space for Clay, earned her the Crafts Initiative Award from the Malta Crafts Council. Inspired by the people who walk through her studio doors as well as by nature and trees, Rosella attentively crafts ceramics that seek to convey unique feelings each time they are used. Her journey began in the early 1990s, when she took a ceramics course led by local master, Anna Ciavola, and from then on, she has remained committed to her explorations of this versatile creative medium. Her experiences in the United Kingdom and Malta, where she has both lived, worked, and participated in collective exhibitions and events has influenced her style. She is committed to conveying her love for clay and the beauty it has the potential to express.

Interview

©Inigo Taylor

©Inigo Taylor

What is your favourite part of your creative process?: There are three kinds of potters: the designers, the makers and the decorators. Ceramics takes us through all three aspects with each piece. I definitely enjoy the making part because I have a vision for a piece and the clay 'leads' me in an alternative direction which is just as interesting.
Do you believe ceramics is an endangered craft?: The therapeutic and challenging qualities of clay are encouraging people to look for an activity to balance the fast-paced lifestyle they have adopted. It is not necessarily an endangered craft but it has slowed down because everything nowadays is so mass-produced.
Which types of items do you enjoy crafting?: I like making traditional cooking pots. I try to produce mugs, jugs and oven dishes with colourful glazes, not just traditional and utilitarian ones. I believe that colourful tactile pieces give the user a more rewarding and personal experience, even if it is just for a few minutes when having a coffee.
What does well crafted mean to you?: A handmade piece needs to achieve its ultimate objective. If it’s a jug, then it needs to pour well, and a mug needs to be comfortable to drink from. I consciously study each ceramic piece I make and 'judge' that it 'looks and feels good'.

Rosella Schembri is a master artisan: she began her career in 2011 and she started teaching in 2011