Sofia Trigoni
A photo of Sofia Trigoni's popular ceramics was used as
the sole icon on the cover of this year's January, Art and
Folk Art Exhibition brochures and catalogs in Athens. This
was one recent recognition for the artist who has had such
a long and successful career in her field. She works alone
in her cozy workshop in Maroussi, Athens, producing every
piece by hand. I visited her there to learn more about her
story and latest work.
Over a cup of coffee, Sofia explains her enjoyment of creating
by hand began at a very young age. She would make her own
patchwork quilts, jewelry, clothes, always keeping busy
with anything she found pliable. It was in 1980 that she
found her ultimate satisfaction in working with ceramics.
She followed her interest with formal lessons in Athens
from 1983-1986, studying the trade with well-known artists
and professors, like Theodora Hórafa and Maro Kerasióti.
She continued to explore new techniques through seminars,
private sculpting lessons, and team experiments in Greece
and abroad. Sofia opened her own workshop in 1993 and has
since built a strong reputation for her work amongst her
peers and followers.
Sofia's inspirations are constantly changing and it shows
in her collections. Her earlier collections were earthy,
reflecting nature in form, and enhanced with the natural
colors of the fired clay. Her more recent work is playful
with bright colors, finer lines, and simpler subjects. Sofia
unveiled a more modern collection this year with rough textures,
freer form, and accented with bright swirls of color. Her
talent ranges from abstract concept pieces to practical
use: from life size dolls to small charm boxes. I was most
impressed with Sofia's ingenuity after noticing that she
had made ceramic spools for thread and small ceramic gift
boxes to be used as favors for a Greek baptism!
Sofia continues to participate in individual and group
exhibitions in Europe. Her work has been the focus of many
articles in popular Greek decorating and craft magazines.
You can find her work at select galleries throughout Greece.
For more information and orders, you may contact her by
telephone, mail, or personal appointments at her workshop.
You may contact GreekShoppingGuide.com for any assistance
via email.
