Nestled in a narrow calle on the island of Murano, where the legacy of glass-making artistry thrives, one can discover SVO Ceramic, Nadia Saponaro's pottery workshop. Hailing from Turin, since October 2019, Nadia has made Venice her home and creative sanctuary where she creatively transforms passion, dreams and life experiences into unique collections of gres and porcelain embodying functionality and decorative beauty.
Her journey into ceramics began after she graduated in Foreign Languages from Ca' Foscari in Venice in 2011. Like many recent graduates, she embarked on a voyage of self-discovery, which took her to Andalusia, Spain. It was there, in a charming atelier in the town of Cadiz, that she first encountered the transformative power of clay. This awakening prompted her return to Venice, where she joined the Bochaleri association, a community of artisans that provided fertile ground to learn from local masters and hone her craft. It might be surprising to find an artisan and designer dedicated to ceramics in Murano, nevertheless, Nadia explains how she draws great inspiration, knowing how generations of craftsmen and craftswomen have populated this island. To her, Murano represents a melting pot of several artistic traditions, making it a fitting backdrop for her innovative approach to pottery. SVO Ceramic reflects not only the traditional values of craftsmanship but also a modern philosophy centered around the idea that everyday objects can be extraordinary. Nadia's artisanship strives to evoke emotional responses in the user. Her designs are characterized by a harmonious interplay of technology, sensuality, and materiality, engaging the senses through aesthetic experimentation. Working with various materials and techniques, she bridges the essential elements of shape, colour, and texture, which inform both the functionality and narrative of her work. Each piece is a testament to her dedication to innovation rooted in tradition. Nadia approaches pottery as a way to express herself and meditate about life. Colours convey specific vibrations: whether she chooses calming whites and blacks to create relaxing pieces or vibrant, bold hues to stimulate perception, each decision is deliberate. It’s an ongoing dialogue where balance and contrast harmoniously coexist, allowing her to evoke precise feelings through her creations. We invite you to visit Nadia's workshop, an intimate space where interaction and open dialogue with the public are encouraged and welcome. Visitors witness her creative process firsthand, fostering a sense of connection and community that enriches the experience for all parties involved. You can even decide to take a privaet wheel-throwing course with Nadia! (find it linked below) The story of SVO Ceramic is one of passion, ingenuity, and a commitment to elevating the ordinary. As Nadia Saponaro continues to explore the depths of clay and colour, she invites us all to embrace the beauty in everyday life and experience the artistry within the objects we use.