makers | yiannis stagkidis of potterylab

meet our makers.

OMA is the result of the collective creativity of many incredible makers + artists. in this series, we introduce you to the people who make us.

introducing yiannis.

around 40 minutes by car from thessaloniki is a quiet town named pieria. here, amid climbing roads and misty hills, is the home and studio of yiannis stagkidis, an artist and craftsman who, since 1985, has been mastering the craft of clay.

working with clay cultivated right in his own backyard, he produces simple, honest, raw items that allow the skills of the potter to shine through. unembellished but expertly made, each of his piece reflects a lifetime dedicated to mastering throwing and hand building - every bit a reflection of matisse’s words [ and his adopted motto ], “everything that is not useful… is, it follows, harmful.”

yiannis has, throughout his career, explored and developed methods based on neolithic pottery practices. special attention has been given to ancient greek techniques, which he pioneers to educate students and adults on today. yiannis hosts workshops and educational programmes, and consults academic students on their ceramic research. his hope is to preserve ceramics + pottery in the modern era.

we were able to visit his home and studio in the months leading up to the opening of OMA and were taken instantly by his gentleness, passion and obvious skill.

yiannis’s beautiful bowls are now part of our collection and, in a small way, brings the raw beauty of the terroir he works with right to london.