Ksenja Kuligina is a Tallinn based ceramicist. She is the founder and developer of Keraamikastuudio, where she is currently working as a tutor, giving ceramics courses, hosting events and working as a freelancer.

Since I am obsessed with material and fascinated by the process, I am pleased with unexpected results that come about when making and firing ceramics. Being a ceramicist means that you never know what to expect: the result is always intriguing as it is practically impossible to predict what the piece will look like after firing. But that is what I like about my profession: daily surprises.

My aim during working is to trust the process and find harmony. I love to dream and I am certain that without dreaming creativity is impossible. I can just disconnect from the outside world and focus on the process while throwing a mug on the potter’s wheel, modeling a shape or sketching.

I believe in an intuitive artistic approach. Of course, knowledge and experience are important when using different techniques, but experimentation and depending on chance is also part of my work. I make single pieces or assemble objects in related groups and in series.

There is an interaction between the material and the tactile sensation while making every piece, and then after firing, especially while using functional ware. Creating functional slip casted or hand thrown tableware inspires me, the thought that my pieces will be used and handled daily.

In my work I use porcelain, semi-porcelain, different clay bodies, coloured slips (engobes), and oxides. I use wheel throwing, slab building, coil modelling, slip casting, and I enjoy experimenting with different tools and techniques. A monochrome colour palette is close to my heart, as are blue shades and pastel colours, however, to enhance the contrast I might use bright colours as well.