My Story
Living abroad in european cities made me feel very nostalgic about all the things that shape my greek identity. The radiant greek sun, the infinite shades of blue at the sea and sky in Greece, the summers in the islands, the food, the music.
Traveling throughout the Mediterranean, I came to appreciate the profound significance of communal gatherings, the act of coming together with your nearest and dearest to share affectionately humble meals and cherish these moments, exactly like our ancestors cherished, celebrated, and sought to embrace in their daily rituals and festive events.
Through the years my aesthetics have been formed by the elegance of simplicity, the joy of imperfection, the priceless value of a hand made piece made from an artisan, recognising the devotion that is meticulously inlaid into each artefact.
The objects I create emerge from thorough research into ancient Greek and Mediterranean cultures,
traditions and philosophy, engaging as contemporary artefacts that maintain a profound connection with the past.
All my creations are crafted using the basic ceramic techniques, exclusively with my hands and my wooden tools. I have a special passion to add little details , such as handles, that form the character and the uniqueness of each piece.The final outcome of an object demands a long and challenging process of shaping, drying, trimming, firing and each stage is catalytic for the final shape of the object. Nothing is pre-decided but I am always driven instinctively from simplicity.
All the ceramics I create are to be used , decorate and celebrate the every day life.They serve as reminders of what truly matters and aim to inspire a lifestyle of authenticity, where simplicity is cherished and only true connoisseurs derive profound satisfaction.
Angelika originates from Corfu,Greece.
She holds a BA (Bachelor of Arts) in Interior Design and a MA (Master of Arts) in Ceramics.
She has participated in different exhibitions around europe and she is cooperating with museum art stores, architects, art collectors and high-end retailers. She is always open to different ideas and projects that aim to discover the unlimited outcomes of clay.
She currently lives in Barcelona, Spain.
GET TO KNOW ANGELIKA EVEN MORE
A collection of questions gathered from various occasions, asked to Angelika, offering insight into her philosophy and the creative process behind her ceramics.
AK:
Q: What inspired you to start KOGEVINA Ceramics?
I have been surrounded by ceramics ever since I can remember — vases and plates were part of my daily scenery, so ceramics always felt like a familiar material to me. Later on, I took some basic ceramic classes, which confirmed my passion for the material. After graduating from my MA in ceramics, setting up my own studio felt like the natural next step, and from there, things developed more professionally. So, I suppose the short answer is that I never planned it, but it all happened naturally.
AK:
Q: What inspire your designs?
Inspiration comes from everything around me, but what truly fascinates me is observing how people move within spaces, around a table and specially in their daily routines. This fascination is also one I have for the ancient Mediterranean cultures. Whenever I visit a museum or monument, I’m inspired by the artifacts and remnants, imagining how spaces were constructed, how daily habits were taking place or how objects were used—like the hand gestures of ancestors mixing wine and water in a krater.
Q:How do you approach creating a new piece?
AK:
Usually I visit a museum and I spot a few objects that spark my curiosity. If possible, I request the object file description from the museum. I then research the category of objects — how they were made, what they were used for, and gather as much material as I can. I don't sketch, so once I have a clear idea of the form I want to create, I quickly make a rough version with clay of the object, focusing on the basic shape and key analogies. Sometimes these first 3D sketches, as I call them, work but sometimes I need to do more. When I find the right analogies, I then move on to create the final piece.
AK:
Q:What role do you think handmade ceramics play in the age of mass production?
I believe it’s not just the handmade aspect that makes a difference, but the quality of the handmade ceramics. Not all handmade pieces are created equal. After COVID, many people turned to clay as a way to reconnect with themselves, which led to a surge in ceramics of all kinds. However, many of these creations follow a mass-production approach and fail to meet important standards, especially when it comes to glazing and the use of safe materials. While preserving the craftsmanship of ceramics is crucial, I equally believe in maintaining the highest quality in this craft.
AK:
Q:Which is your favourite art piece/object contemporary and of antiquity?
From antiquity, I’ve encountered so many fascinating artefacts that it’s difficult to choose just one. However, one of my favourites are the tiny animals discovered at ancient Olympia,considered to be an offer to Zeus. These unique objects inspired me to create the OLYMPIE 776.PYXIS, which is part of the OLYMPIE collection. In terms of contemporary art, I am deeply touched by the work of Ruth Duckworth.
AK:
Q:Which of your ceramics do you have at home or you use in your daily rituals?
As weird as it may sound I don't have any of my ceramics at home.From time to time I might bring a vase or a platter just because we might need one but soon I return it to my studio.I need this distance from my work, not to be surrounded all the time by my own ceramics. For our dinner's and gatherings we use ceramics from the greek ceramicist Eleni Vernardaki. I also have a small collection of ceramics from other ceramicists I have found from places I have visited around the globe.
AK:
Q:What would you like the people who own your ceramics to experience through your work?
First and foremost, I want them to feel satisfied with the object they receive and to truly enjoy it. While many people see my ceramics as mini sculptures, I always design them with a daily routine or action in mind. Ultimately, I hope my ceramics become part of the backdrop for beautiful memories — whether it’s where food is served at a gathering or holding a lovely bouquet brought by a person in love. I want my ceramics to be the vessels that hold beautiful moments.