My name is Magda Bethani and I am a potter, artist and maker and I am based in Kilcoole Co. Wicklow in Ireland. I was born and raised in Athens, Greece and worked for years in business sector before finding clay. I studied European Civilization at the Greek Open University and have a deep love for history and culture. In 2012 I decided to pursue my passion for ceramics by studying in the DCCoI Ceramics Skills and Design Training Course, in Ireland. Since establishing my pottery studio many exciting opportunities, exhibitions, awards, partnerships came my way.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS
I graduated in July 2014 after having successfully exhibit my work at the National Craft Gallery and the Blue Egg Gallery. Soon after, I won the Lewis Glucksman Gallery Graduate Award. Later that same year I was selected to exhibit at various galleries in Ireland such as Solomon Fine Art as part of “Portfolio” programme. My creations have been included in numerous group exhibitions of Ceramics Ireland and were chosen for the exhibitions of RDS Craft awards 2015, 2016 and 2017. I have been awarded with the 2018 Peter Brennan Pioneering Award and the same year got shortlisted for the Golden Fleece Award.
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My work is defined by an on-going exploration into new forms, shapes, surfaces and processes. The starting point is always the potter’s wheel, where I create both functional and decorative pieces.
On my latest work I aim to embrace nature-inspired texture and simple and earthy colours. To succeed that I combined high in iron clays and slips, porcelain slips, grogs, combustible materials, glazes and oxides.
I am inspired by ancient vessels seen in my many visits in archaeological museums and sites and I want my work to carry an ancient feeling with a contemporary look.