Kaiti Anastasaki
www.opto.com.gr
I met Kaiti Anastasaki at her workshop in Athens, surely
one of the most impressive workspaces I have visited in
Greece. She was sitting at her worktable with a small tool
in her hand, adding defining lines to a large clay bowl.
Next to her, a coworker sat carving a clay figure of a woman
with a small scalpel. Kaiti's first workshop opened in 1980
in Crete. Since then, her production and popularity have
multiplied many times. I was impressed to see that despite
the demand for her work, all the pieces were still being
made by hand and with patient detail.
Kaiti's ceramics are symbolistic, some with a touch of
surrealism. Although deep inside her designs are ancient
Greek roots, her collection stands out among other bodies
of work as being artistically innovative, rich in textures
and new concepts. Kaiti works mainly with stoneware clay
fired at 1250 ºC and up, but her designs in clay can
include anything from glass, iron, wood, or engravings to
achieve the desired feel and perspective. The decorative
colors are added using basic oxides and her own handmade
glazes. The range of her work is almost immeasurable. She
uses geometrical designs, like her "Cubists" and
"Robots"and impressionistic human forms as in
her piece "Boulis" (visit her website to view
these works). Her collection includes everything from functional
furniture, oversized wall art, colorful mosaics, mirrors,
and miniatures. Her ceramics are easily distinguishable
from others for their illustrative style and premium quality.
Anastasaki ceramics are available at select boutiques throughout
Greece including on the islands of Santorini, Mykonos, Crete,
Rhodes, and other popular destinations. Her work has been
sold in the USA, Cyprus, and England. Kaiti also does many
commissions, corporate gifts and special orders. For additional
photos and information, you may visit her own website at
www.opto.com.gr. If you are visiting Athens, I would highly
recommend a visit to her studio and workshop in Maroussi.
You can also see her exhibit at the Alpha Omega "Conjectural
Creations" Tradeshow in Athens every January. Kaiti
speaks English perfectly, so if you don't speak Greek, don't
hesitate to contact by telephone. Her work is professional
and top quality. Your time will be well spent!
