Ilenia Dragonetti

I am Ilenia Dragonetti, I work with my hands and it is the only thing I can do. I have experimented with all materials, from wood to ceramics, paper mache and wood. currently I work with clay. I am a master of wood art, I attended the academy of fine arts in Bari scenography section. After attending art workshops of master potters I started a new adventure and currently I am a creative potter. A few days ago I opened a workshop where I work and sell my works, and at the same time I have had a street stall in the heart of the Sassi for 20 years.

Q&A

Artist Statement

What craft do you work with?

Ever since I discovered the magic of the sound of the earth, the idea of making a cold piece of pottery sound and heating it up by blowing into it, emitting a sound, a world has opened up for me. I make sound ceramics, specifically cuccu, a cockerel of Greek origin, a typical object of the Matera tradition. I have been doing this work for almost 20 years.

What inspires you to work with this craft?

Is important because it is my source of life. I wake up every morning with energy and happy to do this work. I love using clay, the primary material.

How do you start your creative process?

The most challenging part is the design phase, it all comes from an idea and the implementation is a lot of fun. The most difficult part is promotion given the little time I have to devote to this, being outdoors however I have the opportunity to talk to people and make myself known.

How would you best describe your workspace and what tools could you not do without?

My work space until a few days is the “lavoratorio” a space in my house used as a workshop. The tools I cannot do without are clay and my hands.

Are there new techniques you would like to try?

So many! for example, I would like to do bucchero, enameling.

What have you learnt or the best advice you have received that you would like to share with fellow crafters?

Plucking to the bone those who know more than you, giving and being generous to spread culture. Experiment because even by making mistakes you can discover new things.

What other types of craft do you dream of collaborating with?

I would like to go to South America where they make ceramic musical instruments, such as the Udu Drum and other sound ceramics

What professional dream do you have?

My professional dream is to travel the world is to discover the sounds it offers me