Wilden.herbals meets / Interview with Giulia Valentino Ceramics

In the fascinating world of manual arts, it is often a personal story that is intertwined with the creation of unique and timeless works of art. We interviewed Giulia of giuliavalentinoceramics to let her tell us more about her personal story and that of her ceramics project, which has grown from a passion into a real job, one that gratifies and satisfies the heart. Over the course of this short interview, we will dive into Giulia’s world, exploring her artistic roots, sources of inspiration, and the creative process that guides her in making unique ceramic pieces.

Noi di Wilden siamo onorati di avere avuto la possibilità di incontrarla e collaborare con lei per la creazione di alcuni pezzi unici realizzati appositamente per noi e firmati Wilden.

Would you like to tell us what your path has been?

I discovered ceramics in Japan, in Mashiko in April 2019 and jumped into it headfirst. I continued to study and practice in Barcelona, where I was living at the time. I am a perfectionist who can’t give myself peace, so even though it started as a hobby, I was spending every spare minute thinking about how to refine the technique, doing and redoing experiments. While I was still working with an architectural firm, I realized that in working with ceramics, design efforts, material choices and functional proofing were combined with a harmony and rhythm that I lacked on the construction site.

How and when did the giuliavalentinoceramics project come about?

My project began very spontaneously and organically. The passion I initially discovered for lathe work quickly expanded to the search for particular earths-as wild as possible-and sincere glazes, without frills and pretensions “a la mode.” The work was therefore light and easy, and as soon as pieces that made me proud began to emerge from the kiln, I slowly began to build what is now my daily life: strenuous, slow but extremely fulfilling.

Where do you get your inspirations from?

Perhaps talking about Japan would be a given, but that’s where it all started and that’s where it goes back to, every time a bowl comes out hot from the last cooking. It is not solely a matter of form: my designs are definitely influenced by Japanese mingei (folk art) forms, but I am still an architect who has seen and studied designs of all eras and nationalities. To Japan I tie my craft philosophy more strongly. The humility of the materials and simplicity of the finishes for me is paramount, the forms follow the functions and grace to bring some of the zen-like serenity into the home that industrial design so often lacks.

How did the collaboration with Wilden come about and what is the point of connection between the two?

With Wilden it was a chance meeting, a quick understanding and then, again, an organic process of creation. I think the crucial link that there is between my work and wilden-beyond a certain philosophy of life, an aesthetic and a penchant for caring about things, people and the relationship between them-is the realization that beyond the product itself there is something else and that in this other lies its true value. Wilden herbal teas are not just great aromatic mixes bagged for a pleasant hot break: they are healing, they are tailored, and they are designed to stay and change the daily life of those who choose them. It is the same hope that drives me to work on my products.

Healthy and wild is the motto of wilden.herbals. What does it mean to you?

Healthy and wild is a beautiful motto. I think on wanting to be healthy we would all agree, on the importance of staying wild, however, there is always a lot of work to be done. There is an underground world of emotions that we cannot forget to share with all species, animal and plant. A strong interdependence binds us, but we often forget this. Plants heal us! The clay as well! I think on this level the botanical account of wilden herbal teas is strong and important.