The Greece Shopping Guide- Wholesale and Retail Guide to the Great Artists of today's Greece

A Non-Touristic Approach to Shopping in Greece

Maria Marinoglou
Raku
Plastira 30
Nea Erithrea, Athens
Greece 146 71
210.807.8343

Maria has been an established ceramist since 1989. Her works are also shown in the

Anemos, Astolavos, and Atrion galleries and selected shops in Greece. Her works of art are highly respected by artists in Greece. Maria chose the "Raku" technique because of its natural results. The fire and smoke change the colors and give the pieces beautiful depth and expression. She first makes the object from clay and fires it in the first kiln. Once it is cool, she paints the piece to her liking and fires it again at 950 degrees in a different kiln. When the object is ready, she buries it in a pit of wood shavings. This is where the magic happens. The smoke and heat begin to give the object its own personality while it smolders in the pit. When she pulls it out, it must be soaked in a sink of water to help it cool and set. If she is not pleased with the final outcome, Maria can re-fire it a second time and try the process once again.

Maria seems to definitely be inspired by the world around her. Her latest creations are of Olympic athletes in motion, hung in a cage, like a bird, to represent the repressed Olympic spirit this year regarding the upcoming

Olympic Games in Athens.

My favorite pieces she makes remind me of beautiful quilts. They are fashioned like a blanket with squares of wire and hang on the walls inside her home. They are above her couch, in her kitchen and next to her fireplace. Small decorative patterns of wreaths, little Greek houses, or leaves hang sweetly in random squares. These pieces perfect for filling up wall space with out the feeling of the room closing in and always interesting pieces to look at.

Maria has a lot of friends and admirers. So many of the artists I already know have insisted I see her work. They were right! It was more than worth the time!

Her works are currently available in many shops in Greece. Her workshop is open to visitors, but her time is very limited, as she alone makes each piece by hand. She will soon have a shop for retail above her workshop and will welcome more visitors then. If you are interested in her pieces, you can call her, visit her, but preferably, for now, locate her things at the following shops around Greece:

"I am not concerned with the details of the perfection of the design. Flowers, leaves, bees, sea shells, fruit, urns, and fairy tales all float in space and time." - Maria Marinoglou

Gallery
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