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Telki, Hungary

Zsófia Karsai

Ceramicist

Objects offering passageways to introspection

  • Zsófia created ceramic pots for her dolls as a child
  • She thinks creation is a way leading to self-awareness
  • For her a well made piece is immaculate from all angles

In her childhood, ceramicist Zsófia Karsai spent summers on an idyllic country farm, it was here that she first experienced the joy of creating pots out of muddy soil. Now, as an artist, she shapes ceramic sculptures and breath-taking art pieces, which carry her iconic, individual artistic style. She draws inspiration from the ordinary and things that impact us every day, like a catchy melody or the architecture surrounding us. Zsófia is fond of Buddhism, the teachings of which are present in her art, and also believes that all the pieces she creates must be flawless. Nowadays, she forms sculptures and wall art in her home studio for individual orders, and enjoys the flow that comes with the process of creation, breaking the confines of space and time.


Interview

©Baktai György
©Zsófia Karsai
When was the first time you sensed that you would be a ceramicist?
As a child I spent each summer on a farm that was built on clay. After it had rained, I always enjoyed squelching in the sodden, muddy soil, and when it had dried out, I used it to make tiny little cooking vessels for my dolls. This first encounter with clay determined my fate.
Where do you draw inspiration from when creating your art pieces?
I find inspiration in a pleasant outing, a conversation with someone interesting, a wonderful melody, the teachings of Buddhism or impressions that subconsciously affect me like the built environment in the place where I live or encountered during my travels. But I am also inspired by sculptures I have previously created.
How would you define what you do?
I want to know, see and feel everything that is going on around me in the world. In my art, I do not reflect on, criticise or assess any of that, but strive to enable the viewer to rest a little in this madness. I offer my objects as passageways that lead to introspection.
What does well made mean to you?
This brings to my mind the statues on the pediment of ancient Greek temples. Sculptures there can only be inspected from the front, yet they are impeccably shaped all around. It is that way because the gods are able to see them from all sides. In my eye, this is what being well made is about.
Zsófia Karsai is a master artisan: she began her career in 1992 and she started teaching in 2018

Where


Zsófia Karsai

Address: Nefelejcs utca 27, 2089, Telki, Hungary
Hours: By appointment only
Phone: +36 302308414
Languages: Hungarian, English
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