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Iva Polachova
Maker's Story
Iva Polachova is a London-based potter specialising in contemporary ceramics, tableware and decorative vessels. The creative process and rhythm of making are crucial to Iva’s work. She draws inspiration from sculptor Constantin Brancusi regarding the essential in art and is influenced by artist Paul Klee’s thoughts on the artist distilling from nature. Iva’s work combines balance, clearness, fluidity and tactility. She uses a variety of clays ranging from the refined to the coarse – from porcelain to crank.
Maker's Quote
My work is concerned with form and texture. I use unglazed porcelain for its sensuousness, apparent fragility, actual strength and lightness. I then dip the pieces in matt or shiny glaze. White is an integral part of my work: it envelopes and reveals the clay. White represents stillness, lightness and balance.
Ceramicist
The Process
Iva’s use of ceramic glazes are limited to shades of white with the occasional use of oxides and slips beneath. Using simple ceramic tools – scraper and rasp blades – the tool marks are often left visible under the glaze as a gentle reminder of the handmade.


