The faces in front of future students, the hands - guardians of the craft, the people - inspirers.
A column that introduces you to the future teachers at the craft school, part of the Colorful Factory.
The Craft Stories series opens the doors of studios, workshops and creative spaces, or in other words, the workplace of people who have chosen to dedicate themselves to craft and art and not call it work, but life. We add “ours” to some of them, because these are the people who will enter the Sharena Fabrika as teachers and people teaching the next ones. And the next one, about which we are talking, is among the popular faces of Bulgarian contemporary ceramics. Most of us recognize her through the distinctive style and character of her work and know that where the fine lines of graphics meet porcelain, Maria Jovanovic has a hand.
She studied graphics at the National Academy of Fine Arts, and then graduated in Ceramics at the National Academy of Fine Arts. A little over a year later, when International School of Culinary Arts and Crafts "Sharena Fabrika" opens its doors, she will be among the leading teachers at the craft school and will share her experience and knowledge not only about the craft, but also about life, inspiration, the dynamics of creative processes and the love of art.
Today, man and nature are her sources of inspiration, but why and what moves her hands on the porcelain, she tells in the following lines.
In a previous interview, you said that nature and people are your themes. What about human nature has amazed you the most?
The endless possibilities… the weaknesses even. But most of all, the power with which we can love and at the same time fall into extremes. For me, man is the most colorful universe that we will know until the end of the world.
Do you believe that a person can change and what is behind these processes?
I believe that there is a universal balance that imposes all these changes… and I believe that every change has its exact place, time and meaning. Some things change, others adapt or disappear… Man changes, nature too. The world changes. Participating in a healthy, conscious and loving way in what surrounds us is the most normal thing we can do. Even those who live and perceive with a different impulse… in my opinion, are still part of this universal balance. I try to believe in a positive way that they also have their place. But at the same time, I will not remain silent when I feel that I need to give a voice. I believe that good things are contagious, and people who inspire are treasures.
How did you get into graphics?
I've been drawing since I was very young, since forever haha... I started taking lessons in the 5th grade, and my teacher at the time is now a professor at the Academy. He taught me to recognize materials and textures. He taught me how to depict them on paper and with pencils. He taught me that with hard work and dedication, one can do anything. He instilled in me precision and aroused the desire to want more, and to become better and better. Then he introduced me to the world of printed graphics. And maybe that left an even stronger mark.
Why graphics?
This is a world where things are not just black and white, as many people would define graphics. Behind all this concreteness and contrast, there are thousands of colors of emotions, a lot of depth, a lot of vibration and “human density”. Graphics for me is depth on an intelligent level, as corny as it may sound – it has rich possibilities for techniques and expression.
And what about ceramics?
We met ceramics quite by accident... although "nothing is by accident."
After I met clay, a spark of love ignited. The kind of love that you can't tear yourself away from or leave. There's some magic here, I'm sure. The clay is us and we are the clay... that consumed me. A love for everything, stained with mud - created with that same love. I perceive it as infinity that consumed me.
The rest is a process… a lot of dedication, a lot of work, a lot of faith, a lot of madness, a lot of roaring, a lot of sweat, and an awful lot of trying.
What remains hidden from people in the world of ceramics and the creation of a product?
Few people who are not from this world understand it. Most are not aware, above all, of the time that clay requires to happen. All the stages without which it cannot be done. I will not stop explaining to anyone who needs it that it cannot be done in a day. This is part of the process. We are constantly learning patience. And not only that – of dedication, of love and attention… clay is reciprocity.
The world of ceramics can be very thorny, painful, very difficult, quite financially difficult at times. The path of a product is long, sometimes even eternal, impossible… But this is also part of the process. I don't like to talk about the difficulties and the thousands of tears… I share them with colleagues and craftsmen. Together we look for a path and a solution. Which is also a very valuable sharing.
Few people know how much this world gives. It will be difficult for me to find words here. I receive so much love... I feel that this is the thing that keeps me from falling at times. What feeds me or heals me... I have always said, I will scratch it here too... "This is not a profession, but a diagnosis". No matter how hard it is, your heart does not let you let it go.
What do the creative processes of painting and working with ceramics have in common?
Both painting and ceramic making are part of a common process. The expression of the author, his emotional palette and communication with the world, through the creation of a work of art… regardless of what materials and techniques will be used. We can also consider them in areas of the art world, where they can exist separately and be sufficiently individual and artistically sustained without having a common point. In fine and applied art. But as a person, part of this world, they are a symbiosis and I do not divide them. Ceramics, as a very important part of human life, expresses this symbiosis very strongly.
How do you see yourself as a teacher at the future International School of Culinary Arts and Crafts?
I only know that I will be sincere. I try not to have expectations. I do not visualize what I will be. I believe that as long as there is passion in me, I will have something to give. This is the main meaning. I live with a thought of gratitude in the present and I am excited about the idea of the project. I believe that everything will happen in the best way. Including my participation there.
What is the most valuable advice you have received from your teachers?
To paint with heart and faith in hand...
To breathe...
"90% observation, 10% work"... but I realized this after I turned 25.
How and when to eat tripe, how to drink alcohol. How to make love...literally and figuratively.
Are these your means of expression, with which you send your messages as an artist?
Definitely – graphics placed on ceramics excites me the most at the moment. I don't think I'm closing this… there is a way forward – let's see!
