“When you buy my pottery,
you also take the environment and
the exchange you have with me, the artist.”
ANNE LOUISE MARGERIT
Ceramist, FR
February 29th, 2024
OPEN WINDOWS | In Conversation
Heera Alaya: Your soft-hued colour palette bathes me with tranquillity and mellowness. How much of your personality is in your pottery?
Anne-Louise Margerit: Oui [yes]. I understand what you are saying and agree with your view. I used to draw a lot as a child. When I began making pottery, I chose porcelain, known for its whiteness, like paper, and I can draw on porcelain, similar to when I was a child. These drawings are very personal, transferring who I am to the porcelain.
Can you share your process of making these beautiful pieces?
I throw my porcelain on the wheel and let them rest. I then place the pieces in my kiln at 1000 degrees and draw on them. The next step is glazing; I use a satiny-matt glaze and put the pieces in the kiln for the second time at 1300 degrees.
In this particular collection [as seen in the photographs], you use a spot of red.
I apply a pigment—red or yellow—with my finger [she demonstrates application], and the tiny dots are a brush effect.
How do you decide where to place the larger dots?
I am in my world when I draw, and the placements are organic.
How many pieces do you start at one time?
On the wheel, I make about 20 pieces like those [pointing to the jugs] and 20 like that [pointing to the cups with slim stirrers]. After that stage, I have a lot of work to finish each piece.
Does your environment play into your creativity?
Having the right environment—tranquil—is essential to feed my spirit. I previously lived in the Alpes, surrounded by many mountains (and made several sculptures of mountains), and now I live in a little village in the Gard region.
Where do you find inspiration?
Nature inspires me when I am walking in it alone.
Would you say you are an introvert who appreciates solitude and creating in isolation?
Yes. The silence is essential for me to go very deep inside of me. I also need to draw a lot without thinking. Later, I review my sketches and decide which ones to draw on the pottery (The colours change, and having the same colour as what I draw is challenging.). It is in solitude that I can create, think and plan.
Do you follow a schedule to create your pieces, or are your creations free-flowing?
[Laughs] I am liberal with my timing. I do what I like when I like. Of course, the wheel is magic, but I don’t sit at it daily.
Is it more challenging to create pottery or sell pottery?
[Laughs] I don’t have a problem with selling (I only sell directly from my workshop); I have more of an issue making more pieces.
I appreciate your layers of thoughtfulness—from placement to packaging.
It’s vital to have each component clean, organised and beautiful. The presentation is essential. When you buy my pottery, you also take the environment and the exchange you have with me, the artist.
I couldn’t agree more with you. I will step into your world when I use your pieces, cherishing your creativity as much as your tranquil spirit.
[Annie’s eyes light up, smiling]. This impression is why it’s essential to appreciate the exchange.
Learn more about Anne-Louise Margerit.
