xx

BIO
I grew up in Volos, Greece in a family of potters. I started throwing pots
as a young child. At age 26, I established the Laghini Gallery and
School of Pottery on Paros Island, where I showcased my work
plus the work of other Greek potters and jewelers. I taught many
different workshops in open-fire technique, surface treatment and
advanced throwing. I worked mostly with low-fire majollica in Greece
and established and maintained more than 100 wholesale accounts.

From 1999-2002 I acted as art ambassador for the Greek government
in a Disney project at Epcot Center called The Millenium Village.
While there, I demonstrated daily my artistic techniques and
sold my pottery as well. During this time, I had numerous
appearances on Greek television and Disney television broadcasts
throughout the world. I was also commissioned by Walt Disney World
and the Salvador Dali Museum in St Petersburg to create a Dali inspired
dinnerware set. In addition, I have created custom artwork for many
clubs and businesses in both Greece and Florida over the years.
From 2002-2004 I worked as a production potter for many artists in
the Central Florida area. In 2004, I established my own studio, Tsentas Pottery,
in Orlando, FL and operate it currently.

 


ARTIST STATEMENT

I regard clay as a vehicle of communication between people, cultures and across the centuries. I grew up in a family of potters and whether
nature or nurture, I consider pottery my personal calling. I never had much patience for many things in my life, but while creating pottery
I can lose myself for hours. There is a void or a feeling of being incomplete when I am unable to create my art. Sometimes, the pieces are
predetermined in my mind before I create them. Other times I start with a piece of clay and just allow the clay to guide me. As the piece
unfolds, there is an element of surprise for me.

In my early years I made functional, hand-painted majollica in my families' studio. Later, my love for design and discovery of Japanese,
Scandinavian and 50's American studio pottery influenced me to change my work to what it is today. It is a daily challenge to find the
delicate balance between form, texture and glaze. This is something that I believe you will not find in mass-produced. machine-made pottery.
I also believe there is some part of me in every piece of pottery I make.



Copyright © 2006 Vasileios Tsentas
GALLERY WORKSHOPS BIO & STATEMENT EXHIBITIONS & AWARDS PRESS WORKSHOPS CONTACT LINKS HOME