This article is the first in a series – it’s about artisans & their work in Bali, that highlight the opportunities made available to Balinese, & other Indonesians, particularly in the area of employment & on the job training. It’s creative work that takes talent & fine craftsmanship which is what the Balinese are renowned for throughout the world.
GAYA CERAMICS & DESIGN
Gaya Ceramics & Design is a boutique artisan/manufacturer with a definite emphasis on designer product. Here is a little background on the clever couple that started it all -
Marcello Massoni, is a talented ceramist & Michaela Foppiani, a gifted sculptor, like many young people they were looking for ‘more’ in life than just a regular job in the city. After a chance meeting with an Italian businessman, who had interests in Bali, they decided to visit & look at the opportunity. Before they knew it, they agreed that Bali was going to provide a more interesting & creative lifestyle, so they packed up & moved to Bali with an idea, a dream, it was that simple, after fifteen years of hard work, their dream has become a reality!
Today, Gaya employ 50 enthusiastic & highly talented creative people for their business, some 80% of their employees come from Sayan Village, near Ubud. From a small ceramic artisan enterprise, Gaya Ceramic & Design has grown into a well sized profitable company exporting 90% of designer ceramics overseas, creating product for some of the most prestigious international clients, like; Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, Como Shambala Resorts, the Amangroup & more. And they will happily create for individuals (perhaps a stunning dinnerware range, handcrafted exclusively for you!)
Gaya Ceramic & Design have built an enviable reputation for producing the ultimate, in high- end handmade designer ceramics, they also create for interior art, design & architectural projects from sculptures, to glowing pieces of porcelain, ceramic modular ‘wallpapers’ to outdoor ornaments & art installations. Gaya’s work is unique, stylish with ‘edge’ designer ceramics that are quite divine!
Of course, like any creative development work, there are procedures set in place, an initial brief from the client, where Gaya will produce a creative concept, research the idea, bringing images & text on a mood board, highlighting the materials, shapes & colors to be used for the job. Once the client approves, technical drawings & 3D renderings are made with the final sample taking up to two months to produce. Once approved, all systems go for production & quality control. Gaya work with, stoneware, porcelain & Raku (which is identified by fine crackling in the ceramic).
When speaking about ceramics in general, Gaya use the word ‘clay’ as unless one has a ball of clay, nothing is possible! To fashion this ball into an object is what drives the artisan to experience the ultimate challenge, seeing the ball of clay come to life in various forms & shapes.
Checking out the artisan workspace was another experience, a spacious, circular studio, full of light, & well equipped, with the feature being an immense canvas roof which peaks skywards & supported in place by a towering giant bamboo structure. You can view all the work going on, which can be a motion of activity from – the molding & turning of the clay, throwing & shaping, firing, washing & sorting which will eventually be treated with lead free paints & glazes.
Gaya has a dedicated research & design department, with a focus on shape & color of product, important to ensure that the color & surface must exactly match the client’s brief.
The 2010 calendar already highlight special Retreats, Residentials & Workshops for all levels of ceramic enthusiasists. And, a classroom for Education, such as learning, a 15 century Japanese technique, to create Raku, which has fine crackling throughout the item & only a little color shading & luster. This fast firing process using a glowing extra red-hot kiln takes only one hour, compared to other methods of producing ceramics.
Marcello & Michaela have two important goals for 2010 - to build & manage a children’s playground for the Sayan area & to create a Ceramic Art Centre for Bali, judging by their determination, it’s only a matter of time….
For more information about the workshops call or send a note to -
