ARTIST COLLABORATION

A.P. Ceramiche

 

From the smell as it hits the grinder, to the moment it first hits your lips, coffee is about ritual. But this doesn’t end with the beverage itself—it also extends to the feeling of your favourite coffee cup warm in your hands.

Our quest for the perfect espresso cup was just one of the reasons we were drawn to Agnese Pagliano’s ceramics. Pagliano—a graphic designer who creates modern and clean prints, packaging, and branding—first took up pottery after moving back to her hometown of Pesaro, a seaside resort town about 90 minutes southeast of Bologna, Italy.

“I loved being a graphic designer, but I felt the need to put myself into something else—but something still creative,” she explains. 

She started taking evening pottery classes and fell in love with the art form. Today, Agnese’s creations can be found in local restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Nostrano. 

By intention, her work is simple, with slight imperfections that highlight its handmade quality. Yet, her designs are also decidedly functional. Each glazed piece is food, microwave and dishwasher-safe, and many feature unexpected practical details. The Harumi H bowl, for example, has two holes to keep chopsticks in place, while the hand-painted Kore Banana is a multifunctional dish that could be used as a deep bowl, vase or planter. 

It’s art that’s meant to be used and loved—not to collect dust on a shelf. That’s why we’ve collaborated with Agnese to release three new exclusive-to-Tajmi designs, including a mini version of her banana bowl, custom espresso cups, and a one-of-a-kind vase.

Agnese shared with us how she creates her one-of-a-kind pieces and how her background as a graphic designer influences her work.

 
 
 

Q: How did you make the transition from graphic design to ceramics?

I spent 10 years living in Berlin, working as a graphic designer. I loved it, but I was frustrated after a decade of being on a computer all the time. I liked the idea of being able to create with my hands and, at the same time, being able to disconnect from screens. 

I am fascinated by handmade objects, so I started taking an evening pottery class. At first, I wanted to create something for myself, for my house. But it really caught on me and now I have my own studio. 

Now, my background as a graphic designer helps me to have a wider idea of the whole; the shape I want to create and the colours, as well as how I’ll photograph and present it on my website when it’s complete.


Q: What inspires your work?

First, I think about usefulness. I always want to create something I would like to use and have at home, and objects that people can use every day. Functionality is also essential and can be reflected in the handle of a mug, or when a cake stand becomes a plate if you turn it upside down. 

I like when you can tell when a piece is handmade, when you can see all the imperfections.

When I try something completely new, I forget about the rules for a moment, in order to enjoy the random flow, especially when I start thinking about a decoration. Improvisation always helps me a lot at the beginning.


Q: What's your favourite creation to-date?

The banana vase was a success—people love it—and this obviously makes me very happy. But the greatest satisfaction is working with chefs and creating unique pieces for their restaurants. 

When I was first starting out, Stefano Ciotti—the owner of Nostrano, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Pesaro—came into the studio to have a look. Since then, I’ve made a few sets for him, along with other restaurants, and it’s something I love. You have to consider the client, the gravity and the aesthetic. It’s always very challenging and exciting at the same time.


Q: When someone buys one of your pieces, is there a feeling or message you hope resonates with them?

Every handmade object has its own story to tell. To start with, it carries the expectations of the designer. I like to think that the tourists that buy my ceramics are immediately brought back to Pesaro, my hometown, and the feeling they had just by looking at a cup or a vase.

Scroll down to shop Tajmi’s exclusive collection of A.P. Ceramiche.


Written by Jessica Lockhart, October 2021.

 

Tajmi x A.P. Ceramiche

Together we have created a new and exclusive line of pieces handmade by Agnese in her hometown of Pesaro, Italy. Below you will find two brand new Tajmi glaze colours, an entirely new vase, along with a miniature version of her signature Kore Vase, also known as the Banana Bowl!