Katya Moroz: “Being yourself is also an art”

How did you get into ceramics and decide to start your own business?

I have been doing ceramics since childhood, since primary school, then it was my hobby, and I didn’t even think of making a job out of it. Although I always wanted my work to be related to art and the development of my business. And now, after a long search on my own, having only encountered ceramics in my 4th year of university, I realized that it was the most appropriate way in which I could express myself. Then, in addition to the main higher education, I started taking additional courses at the British Higher School of Design, where I also took courses in ceramics. Then I got a job in a ceramic workshop as a master teacher, and since then I realized that I would not part with clay.

The brand is based on the idea of ​​not being afraid to be yourself, why was such a message related to your personal experience?

Yes, this message is closely related to my personal experience. To me, being me means speaking your mind, dressing how you want, and doing what you really love. But, sometimes all of this is given very hard, as we can be judged on how we look, what we say and do and how we do it. In other words, to be yourself, you really have to be a very brave person. That’s why I want so much to show with my work that, as difficult as it is, being yourself is much better than adjusting to someone else.

You have a lot of work on the theme of sexuality and body positive, where do you most often get your ideas?

Probably, I don’t have a definite answer to this question, I am inspired by what surrounds me and through my work I try to convey my personal attitude towards something. Yes, the subject of the female body is quite taboo in our society, but, in fact, it is only a human body.

You do everything manually, tell us how long it takes and how big is your team?

Right now we are going through a rather difficult and somewhat transitory period within the brand itself. Previously, I was completely involved in all the processes myself, from making the products to selling them, even though I worked 24/7, I still didn’t have time for anything. Now my friend Ulyana, who promotes the brand, helps me. Some of the crockery is now outsourced, so of course that relieved me, it made me feel better, but I also continue to do crockery and develop new designs.

Why do you think ceramic is so popular now?

Everything new is well forgotten. Previously, ceramics were, indeed, in every home, but other materials began to appear and ceramic dishes began to be used less frequently. Now the popularity has returned, probably because people have the opportunity to practice this craft. Previously, only professionals were involved in this process, but now there are plenty of places where anyone can come and try modeling something of their own from clay.

You have not studied ceramics, do you think that artistic education is not always necessary?

Although I certainly have a basic knowledge of art history, at first I was very worried that I had no higher education in the field of art. But then I changed my way of thinking: they didn’t tell me what and how to do, which means I can do whatever I want. After all, in various art institutions they still inculcate certain patterns and rules of action, from which it may be difficult for an artist to withdraw later, but I have no such restrictions, and that’s great!

There was no doubt that the mass consumer in Russia might not appreciate “body positive ceramics”?

Of course there were, and even now I can sometimes doubt when I create something new and show it to people. But the desire to create what I was doing was so strong that eventually the fear and doubt had to fade away.

Ceramic is considered one of the most environmentally friendly materials, tell us how else you support eco-trends?

Ceramic, in fact, is an environmentally friendly material, and although no dangerous substances are released from it during its decomposition, it must always be recycled, and separately from other materials. But, unfortunately, we don’t have points where you can bring unwanted food for recycling. Yes, there are companies that accept ceramics, but they do so for a lot of money, and they only work with large quantities. Therefore, I have organized a collection point for ceramic waste in my workshop, so that a person can not only donate an item for free, but also get a discount on new dishes from me. Now, however, the collection is temporarily suspended, but in the near future we certainly plan to resume it.

What is art for you?

Anything can be art – any object or thought. And being yourself is also an art, and one of the most difficult and important.