EXHIBITOR FOCUS:
AGA ROBAK
Aga Robak is a ceramic artist based in London. Through her unique collections, she has been successful in bringing different elements of nature, its different patterns and textures to life. Robak works with different coloured clays using ancient techniques of pinching and pushing the clay. These techniques are used by ceramic artists to provide their creative pieces a more natural appearance. Thus, each piece that is created from this painstakingly laborious process is unique and stands for its individual character. Though it is difficult to mass-produce such pieces at a single given time, each piece bespeaks layers of embedded technical and conceptual processes that it underwent in its making. This can be beautifully illustrated by the unique collection that, Cluster Crafts is proud to possess, known as the Lanzarote Collection.
“I am a London based ceramicist focusing on functional objects. My style shifts between nature inspired and geometrical forms. As a result, I make tactile vessels that balance natural and man-made qualities.”
-Aga Robak
“Last year I had a chance to visit Lanzarote and La Graciosa which are part of Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. The landscapes there were absolutely breathtaking and versatile - as you can see on the photos.” The vessels in this collection are made using the pinching technique, which is probably the oldest way to make ceramics. I stretched the clay to create rock-like textures, whereas for the water effect I relied on glazing. The pieces are single-fired, which means that I apply glazes straight on raw clay. This is technically challenging but as less energy is required to fire them, it is better for the environment.”
Her primary tools are her fingers. She shapes each ceramic piece individually with the pinching and slab building technique. These techniques provide Robak’s pieces a natural effect. She usually starts with a single ball of clay that is single glazed after drying. This process also involves a great amount of risk as there are possibilities that the piece might break during the single glazing process. One can see different textures as well as different layers in one single ceramic piece, for instance, the Lanzarote Inside the Volcano Vase or the Lanzarote Beach and Rocks vessel. Both of these marvellous pieces are a part of the Cluster Crafts sale collection. In one of the pieces, she has beautifully played with both matte and glossy texture, which is achieved by partially glazing the ceramic piece. The piece from the inside appears glossy or wet. Each of the pieces in the Lanzarote collection is exclusive and comes in different colours.
This kind of artistic work takes time to develop in terms of its technicality as well as conceptuality. As each creative piece is unique and impossible to reproduce in its exactness. Robak’s dedication to craft makes her an asset to the Cluster Crafts artistic community.
Thank you for reading,
Aditi Kumar & Cluster Team.