Inside The Creative World of Luca

Luca's collaboration with Björk and Berries, "From Seed to Table", celebrates everyday moments. Rooted in the seemingly mundane, the collection transforms routine interactions—like harvesting vegetables—into something more meaningful.

For Luca, beauty often lies in what is unnoticed. "I love to make situations that don't seem very interesting initially more noticeable by drawing them. There is beauty in daily situations and in interacting with each other," she shares.

The journey of creating this collection began, as most of Luca's pieces do, with a simple sketch in her notebook. She explains, "I usually start with a sketch without thinking whether it will work on a ceramic piece. I just want to capture things I see and hear around me."

Drawing from life, particularly while outside, inspires much of her work. Whether it's a passerby on the street or a time off in nature, she notices what others might not, and these observations often make their way into her art.

Luca prefers hand-building, which gives each piece a personal touch. She believes that the slight imperfections—crooked lines here, a skewed form there—bring character and life to her creations. "After the first kiln, I sketch with a pencil, then paint with underglaze before firing it again with a transparent glaze. It's a process that feels intimate," she says.

Movement is another key theme that runs through Luca's work. Her sketches, often done on the go, inform the memories and moments that later shape her ceramics. "I love to go somewhere to draw and see new things. These quick sketches and memories inspire me when I'm back in the studio," Luca reflects.

But this creative rhythm has its challenges. She admits that sometimes, the lure of her studio makes it easy to forget the importance of stepping outside. "I have to drag myself out sometimes," she laughs.

This connection to the outside world is particularly strong in autumn. Luca loves the season's warm colours, with trees ablaze in rich hues. "Every year, I find it amazing how many different colours there are everywhere," she muses. And, of course, autumn means pulling out cosy wool sweaters, something she always looks forward to after the heat of summer—though she could do without the rain, she admits.

Luca's journey into ceramics began almost by accident. After completing her illustration studies, she felt uncertain about the future. Evening ceramics classes offered a creative refuge and opened a new world where her love of drawing and her newfound passion for pottery could come together. "Sometimes you just have to start something and see where it takes you," she advises.

Despite initial hesitation, her willingness to put her work out into the world eventually paid off, especially once Instagram helped her reach a broader audience. "I was lucky my work was picked up there," she says.

Nostalgia and sensory experience play important roles in Luca's creative philosophy. The smell of rain after a long dry spell—a scent that brings her joy—is one of her favorite examples. "It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's comforting, like something familiar coming back," she explains.

When it comes to her personal tastes, Luca gravitates toward things with a story. She cites Laura Carlin as a major influence, admiring how the illustrator and ceramicist tell stories through her art. Ines van den Kieboom's paintings, too, resonate with her for their timeless reflections on daily life.

However, her favourite piece of artwork is deeply personal—a black-and-white painting by her grandfather. "It took me three days to choose it from his atelier, but every time I see it, I know it's perfect."

As for her daily rituals, Luca's creativity seems to be fueled by a balance of tea and coffee: "When fall starts, I start drinking tea all day every day, but nothing beats my morning coffee."