Antonio Ziccarelli's raw vision of pottery
As a kid Antonio Ziccarelli was fascinated by ceramics. His interest in bonsai pottery came via the tea ceremony
Can you tell us how you got into bonsai pottery?
It all started in 2005. After further study of pottery and experience of creating various shapes in the Italian traditional pottery sector I began my interest for Japanese pottery. Initially, my interest lay in the Tea Ceremony pottery and later on moved to bonsai pot.
Who was your teacher? What is the most important thing you learned?
I learned all the basics of pottery in a traditional pottery studio in Calabria. I studied oriental pottery from Bernard Leach’s books.
Why ceramic? What makes it so fascinating for you?
For me pottery means eternity. When I was a child, I always looked at old pots in my father’s art books. Moreover, I love thinking that my pottery will tell my story and will be my trademark in the future.
What is your philosophy of bonsai ceramics?
My pottery creations follow a philosophy of Zen origin: ‘To reach beauty through tools and simple materials’. Furuta Oribe extended this philosophy to the pottery used in the Tea Ceremony. Oribe liked the simplicity of this type of pottery because it’s made only with clay, water and fire.
Do you make your own glazes?
I make all the glazes myself. I obtain my stoneware, rocks, sands wood ash and other elements that I use to make my glazes. Moreover I collect and hand make the stoneware that I use in all my pottery.
What do you think of the Japanese pots?
I prefer Japanese styled pots, particularly pots made at Shigaraki, Bizen and Tamba. I like these pots for their simplicity and shapes and for the raw stoneware used. I am attracted to the deep Japanese glazes because every glazed pot is unique.
There is a trend in making more traditionally styled pots based on the Japanese principles. How do you feel about this?
I think this trend is very important as the most common form of pots is usually the result of taste refined over the centuries. I also really admire the proportions of the Japanese pots.
Do you think that hand-made pots are being appreciated and valued by bonsai enthusiasts today?
I think that fully hand-made creations are not appreciated and economically valued as they should be, because the artistic work and craft quality they offer is higher than any price put on them.
Any other interests or hobbies beside pottery?
I much like to read contemporary art books and catalogues. In the last few years I have also started to study and practise the art of bonsai. In particular, I am fascinated by pine bonsai.
What or who inspires you?
I chose to change the way I make pottery after buying Bernard Leach’s book. He was an English potter who in 1900 lived in Japan. Leach brought oriental philosophy to the western ceramic world.
What do you like about bonsai and making pots for bonsai?
I began to make bonsai as an approach to nature, to have trustworthy friends. I love going to my workshop at dawn each morning. I love giving a shape and a meaning to my pots
Zen pottery
Furuta Oribe, was a warrior and the celebrated Master of the Japanese Tea Ceremony in the 16th century. Oribe- ware is a type of Japanese pottery most identifiable for its use of green copper glaze and bold painted designs. It was the first use of stoneware glaze used by Japanese potters.
Which techniques do you prefer when making your pots?
I prefer my pots to be fully hand-made. I use a potter’s kick wheel for the round pots and I use the slab technique for the other pots. All my creations are made by me with hand-made tools. I use a wood fired kiln at a temperature of 1300°C.
