There's an invisible thread that unites tradition and wonder, earth and dream. This is what we found in the art of Artema Galli , a Sicilian ceramist capable of transforming majolica into storytelling, color, and poetry.
When we met Artema, we were struck by her authenticity, her way of combining irony and memory, lightness and depth. Collaborating with her was a natural fit: her work perfectly embodies the spirit of VICODE—different, to be unique.
Here she is: Artema Galli.
A journey between earth and fantasy
My majolica is born from the union of the watercolor imagination of a child who never grew up and the fidelity to a thousand-year-old island tradition. I'm Sicilian as Sicilian as can be, from my facial features to my ancestral attachment to my homeland.
As a girl, I was persuaded (and I wasn't exactly easily persuaded!) to choose a classical high school instead of an art school; then I graduated with a degree in Pharmacy because I'd always loved chemistry. In 1992, I began making ceramics and haven't stopped since. My passion for this art had deep roots.
When I strolled through Santo Stefano di Camastra as a child, it was as if I'd been transported to Disneyland: I was happy to look at, and even just touch, the surfaces of all those objects on display. After a long period of following the dictates of traditional ceramics, both in terms of shapes and decorations, in 2008 I sought out languages and designs that better represented me and made me feel renewed.
Thus the Pupe were born: inspired by the traditional Moor's heads and their legendary origins, but reinterpreted with irony and lightness. They are plump, almost naive figures that seem to speak a magical language between fairytale and reality, bringing to life the colors and myths of Sicily. The decorations are completely transformed, ranging from geometric to figurative, with new and vibrant hues.
Since then, I have come to where I am today through beautiful and formative experiences, each a source of inspiration and growth.
As Francis Bacon said, "I paint because I have to": an internal urge rather than an aesthetic choice. And this is my why: to create, simply because I couldn't help it.
How did your love for ceramics and majolica begin?
My love for ceramics has ancient roots. I've always been fascinated by it, and even though I didn't yet know the techniques, as a child I experimented with clay and colors to create something that resembled ceramic as closely as possible.
What moment of the creative process do you feel most “yours”?
More than shaping clay, I love painting and experiencing the uncertainty of the final result every time: ceramic colors change after firing—black becomes green, lilac becomes blue—and you have to imagine everything in advance. It's a fascinating challenge that never tires.
How important are your Sicilian roots in your choices of color and shape?
A lot. My roots profoundly influenced the early years of my work, and even today I remain fascinated by the colors and stories of Sicilian tradition, particularly the legend of the Moor's Heads.
Where do the subjects suspended between dream and reality come from?
From my imaginative nature and my love of fairy tales. I like to daydream and be inspired by small everyday details... I often live a bit in the clouds, and I think this is reflected in my work.
Is there a “manifesto” work that represents you today?
There isn't a single work that represents me. Perhaps always the last one, because I experience a constant restlessness that pushes me to seek new paths—a "creative stress" that keeps me alive and curious.
How do you balance artisan tradition and contemporary freedom?
I follow tradition, but not rigidly. I believe that slavishly adhering to it can dull one's identity. I like to listen to my nature and desires: it's a way of respecting myself. In the end, however, my origins always resurface, influencing my decorative and sculptural choices.
Why did you choose VICODE to promote your art?
Because I was struck by the beauty of the page, the originality of the products, and the thoughtful way everything was presented. I recognized myself in that visual and narrative language.
Discover Artema Galli's exclusive collection on vicode.it and be inspired by her universe of colors, stories, and magic.
