Alessandro Roma on Ceramics as an Extension of Painting

Italian artist Alessandro Roma (born 1977) discusses his ceramic practice in an interview with Irene Biolchini. After living in London, Berlin, and Brussels, he now resides in Milan. Initially a painter, he turned to sculpture in 2011 for his solo show 'Humus' at MART in Trento. Roma works with ceramics in peripheral Italian centers like Albisola, Montelupo, and Faenza, collaborating with artisans such as Mazzotti. He values the freedom and lack of reverence in these relationships, emphasizing the importance of time for experimentation and connection. For Roma, ceramics are an extension of painting; the challenge is knowing when to stop. The kiln's surprise element parallels painting's unpredictability. His recent Brussels exhibition showcased five ceramic works from the past year, each exploring color, form, and surface stratification. He aims to push excess in research on form decomposition, color layering, and the interplay of interior and exterior. Roma's painting has become more material, leading to bas-reliefs that merge sign, form, and color. He uses ceramic friezes to guide the viewer's gaze, creating a physical attraction. He defends beauty as a value achieved through process, even conflict, as in collage. The interview is part of Artribune's series 'Gli artisti e la ceramica' (Artists and Ceramics).