personal folklore
COLLECTION

Personal Folklore is a collection of ceramics created by Eva Machajdíková and Barbora Idesová. Eva began experimenting with clay a few years ago, and pottery quickly became a significant passion for her. Barbora encouraged her to start creating vases and inspired her to experiment with throwing larger vessels. Barbora then adorned these pieces with her original illustrations. In her unique approach, she painted directly onto the pots without preliminary sketches or detailed plans. This method ensures that each piece is an absolute original, with motifs that never repeat. What remains consistent is the technique: Barbora used the same cobalt blue underglaze across all the pieces. However, due to the special firing process—reduction firing in a gas kiln—and the use of a specific rough clay, the final appearance and texture of each pot are distinct.

The collection feels deeply personal because it was born from a collaboration between two partners. For them, the process was more than work; it was a shared hobby, something they enjoyed creating together. The shapes of the pots were not rigidly planned but evolved naturally alongside Eva's growing skills. The finishes, shaped by the high-temperature firing in the gas kiln, lend the pieces a wild, organic quality. They evoke the spirit of traditional folk majolica, a craft historically rooted in the Eastern European region. This connection inspired the name Personal Folklore—a blend of the deeply personal with the traditions of shared identity.

The collection consists of 10 original vases and 5 tea mugs, each signed and numbered. It will be presented to the public on December 6, 2024, at the Sobremesa store in the Lucerna Passage, Prague.