Karin Putsch Grassi

Biography

After an apprenticeship in the studio of Albrecht Kiedaisch in Tübingen she began her studies in ceramics 1982 at "Istituto statale d’Arte” in Florence with Salvatore and Stefano Cipolla. She then opened her own studio and experimented with different local types of clay, glaces and burning techniques. After visiting workshops under John Colbeck she pursued her studies at the Goldsmiths College at the University of London.

She received further inspiration from workshops with Takeshi Yasuda, Ruthanne Tudball, Wally Keeler, Terry Davies and Daphne Corregan. She received several rewards and gained notoriety especially with her work in the Raku ware technique. Her works are displayed in public exhibitions and can be found in various European museums as well as in private collections.

Karin Putsch-Grassi’s technique is stimulated by experimenting with new techniques and clays. She works on the relationship between shape and surface, using both throwing and also slap building as her creative technique. The shapes of her pieces are simple, and have a well-defined and linear outline. The final appearance is the result of processes similar to those that nature undergoes, i.e. submitted to continuous changes by atmospheric factors. Most recently, Karin Putsch-Grassi has been using the technique named by her as “CUT & STRETCH”. It consists of making incisions in the surface of the ceramic work, which is subsequently pulled, lengthened or even widened until it creates uncontrollable clefts and fissures which are produced by the non-uniform thickness and by the consistency of the clay. The surface shows the traces of the work progress, and it is the firing of the piece that establishes this special moment.

Karin Putsch-Grassi lives and works in Reggello, Tuscany.

Awards (selection)

Documentation in publications