Zsuzsanna Sinkovits

Ceramicist

Features of the landscape

Zsuzsanna is inspired by interesting natural formations of Hungary
She tries to work with local materials only, often gathered by her in nature
She works with many techniques, from porcelain slip casting to the Nerikomi technique

Zsuzsanna Sinkovits is one of Hungary's most renowned ceramic artists. She received a special prize at the Hungarian Design Award 2022, first place in the Student category of the Pécs National Ceramics Biennale 2021, and her diploma collection was awarded the Rector's Diploma Prize, too. She uses different techniques, but the task always determines which one she chooses – in her Geoform collection, she is inspired by the Hungarian landscape itself, as each vase is a ceramic transcription of the geological formations that surround us. As a passionate hiker, Zsuzsanna likes to explore the landscapes of Hungary, which she then reproduces in her objects. From the bauxite mines of the Mecsek Mountains to the dried-up bed of Lake of Sziksós, she reproduces the landscape's aura in her works through her use of glazes, pigments, firing choices and forms. In her most recent work, Zsuzsanna is experimenting with unique glazes.

Interview

Are your activities linked to any local traditions?: Not specifically tradition, but rather local characteristics, such as the landscape or the raw materials. With so many commercial ready-made ingredients, we have forgotten a bit about what surrounds us, and I try to work with local ingredients in both moulding and decoration, such as glazing.
What is the hardest part of your craft?: The biggest challenge is time. Ceramics take weeks because of the drying and firing, and you can make a mistake at any step – a crack, a glaze that works differently, a distortion, and so on. Often what works for one experiment is not applicable to a larger object, for example, so you have to start all over again. Managing to finish an object is therefore a constant race against time.
What inspires you?: I often go hiking because it really relaxes and recharges me. Sometimes I bring back some interesting natural formations, a piece of wood, a stone or even soil from a trip. These experiences always have a huge impact on my work.
What was the first object that you created?: I was mesmerised by ceramics at a very young age. Already when I was eight years old I created small tiles with natural motifs printed on them. It is very interesting to see that my interests have not changed much.

Zsuzsanna Sinkovits is a rising star: she began her career in 2021