Vladislav Petkov

Studio Twisted Mud

Ceramicist

©Mihail Novakov

©Studio Twisted Mud

©Mihail Novakov

Twisted mud

Vladislav is a self-taught ceramicist
He studied Fine Art in the United States
He prefers working with dark clays

When it’s 5am in the morning and Vladislav Petkov, coffee in hand, heads to his atelier in the old Sofia centre, it’s a sure sign inspiration has struck and he can’t wait to start exploring it. With a BA in Fine Art from State University of New York College of Purchase, he spent many years in the USA before returning to Bulgaria. A self-taught ceramicist who persistently digs into the methodology and skills of the wheel, his creative output comes in various shapes – functional (bowls, cups, plates) and sculptural –both a grand display of his vast imagination. His creations are distinguished by a certain purpose. Vladislav enigmatically twists the clay into unorthodox pieces, splendidly distorting the notion of the norm in ceramics.

Interview

©Studio Twisted Mud

©Mihail Novakov

What prompted you to take upon ceramics?: I started experimenting with ceramics back in 2002 after being inspired. I visited the Japanese centre in New York where Isamo Naguchi’s art was on display. Clay is an adaptive and versatile media, which caters for all my artistic searches.
What is your approach?: I never stick to a single form, size or type of object. I love working on a ceramic wheel. Over the years, I have set myself the ambition to master the skill. Recently, I started several collaborations with creatives from other spheres.
What is your work place like?: Mostly full of buckets of clay. There are also my tools, a ceramic kiln, the wheel for grinding pottery, notebooks for sketches. For years I have been working on a wooden table donated by colleagues. It resembles a counter, full of items, including flowers.
What are your current aspirations?: To finalise all the collaborative projects I’ve already started with other authors and to expand my studio. My big dream is to be able to have more space so that it can be used as a training centre for ceramics.

Vladislav Petkov is a master artisan: he began his career in 2015 and he started teaching in 2015