The focus of Eugenio Michelini (Italy, 1970) interest lies in the optical quality and material potential of colour, based on theories of light and perception. He enriches simple shapes and patterned surfaces with slips and glazes. Eugenio’s impaired hearing condition compels him to rely on a colour palette that ‘listens’ to his personal relationship with the object, its optical movements, textures, surface, shape and material, which are complementary to the object itself. Eugenio’s inspiration comes from dynamism and animation, like the movement of a flame, found in Mannerist and Baroque styles of decoration. The serpentine gestures and shapes of its figures, almost artificial, are distorted with an incredible tension able to strongly engage the viewer. This ‘theatricality’ triggers Eugenio’s curiosity and the desire to explore it through Parian clay, a material that allows a wide range of surface qualities.

In 2020 Eugenio Michelini has obtained his MA in Ceramic and Glass at the Royal College of Art, London UK and prior to that he has spent several years in the US obtaining a Post Baccalaureate at California State University, Long Beach, California a BFA in Ceramics (cum laude) at California State University, Long Beach, California. He has won several grants and awards including the Charlotte Fraser prize at London RCA and various scholarship awards in Ceramic Arts from California State University. His work has been shown extensively in the US in several group and solo exhibitions as well as in Italy with a solo show at the prestigious Museo Internazionale della Ceramica e Design, Laveno-Mombello, Lago Maggiore, Varese, Italy.