Maria Economides

Biography

Maria Economides (b. 1980, Thessaloniki Greece) studied business administration to run her family business of timber trade, but arts and crafts was always part of her life. In 2010 she moved with her family to Shanghai, China where she lived for 8 years, thriving on the opportunity to travel all over Asia and discover the local cultures. She moved to Athens in 2018 and started studying ceramics that became her passion, because in contrast to this era of instant gratification we are in, clay needs time, patience and concentration.

“My vessels, with their sac-like forms, embody the concept of containing something precious, much like how we hold memories and emotions within ourselves. Through this series of ceramic creations, I explore the struggle and resilience involved in navigating emotional dysregulation, capturing the raw and unfiltered essence of my inner world.

Throughout history, vessels have served as tools to store and transport essential items. In the context of my work, they symbolize the human mind and heart as containers for our experiences, emotions, and memories. Just as a vessel holds liquids or substances, my ceramic creations reflect the capacity of the human spirit to hold and carry a wide range of emotion.

I use the ancient technique of terra sigillata, traditionally known for its refined surface and low firing. However, I reinterpret it in a contemporary way by high-firing my pieces and enhancing them with stains and oxides to achieve unique finishes. Additionally, I color my clay with stains, creating intricate wavy patterns that add depth and movement to the surface. All my work is meticulously hand-built with minimal tools in my small studio in the heart of Athens, blending a deep respect for tradition with modern experimentation.”

Maria Economides ceramics are handcrafted by herself alone, using only the simplest of tools.
In the recent years, Economides has had a series of international projects, notably her commercial line has been retailing at the Van Gogh Foundation in Arles (2023 & 2024) and at the boutique of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris on the occasion of the Elsa Schiaparelli exhibition in 2022. A creation of hers is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Ancient Technology in Athens (2021). Economides has participated at a multitude of group shows in Europe and the UK, more recently in London with rossogranada and the Invisible Collection for the ‘Resilient Clay’ exhibition under the official programme of the London Craft Week (2023) and the Art Athina fair (2022). She first appeared in the ceramics international scene at the Milan Design Week (2021).
Economides had her first solo exhibition in Paris (2023) at the art space La Boulangerie!