RAIOS: The Poetics of Clay, Water, and Light

"RAIOS" — Portuguese for "sun rays," but also "wonder."

Maria Klar's work sits at the intersection where sculpture meets daily utility. After studying fashion design and exploring various artistic mediums, Maria found her true language in ceramics — an ancient practice that balances raw intuition with scientific precision.

Her creations — ranging from lighting and tableware to decorative vessels — embrace biomorphic, irregular silhouettes. They celebrate tactile, rough surfaces reminiscent of wind-carved rocks and rippling water.

The Art of Patience

What does a typical day in your studio look like, and what's your favorite part of it?

"I go to the studio on bike, put on a podcast, and get dirty. There's a lot of cleaning and just as much heavy lifting. Working with clay involves forming the pieces, drying, bisque firing, glazing, glaze firing, and sometimes applying decals for a third firing. It takes time and patience, but I truly love this slow process.

My absolute favorite parts are forming a new piece — especially if it's complex and takes days to finish — and filling the kiln. That's a thrilling moment: everything you've built is ready to be fired, and you can't wait to see the final results."

Chemistry, Intuition, and Humanity

What first made you fall in love with ceramics?

"I've always been drawn to artistic expression, but when I found ceramics, I was completely hooked. It's an incredibly intuitive medium, yet technical and scientific — you need imagination, but you also need chemistry.

Working with a substance like clay is a deeply mindful experience; you can't focus on anything else while doing it. I love that it's an art form humanity has shared for thousands of years, across every continent. It feels like a very 'human' thing to do."

Memories & Ocean Waves

Maria's pieces carry tactile memories: sand, shifting water, and the rugged textures of nature. Recently, her work has been shaped by two deeply personal roots: memories of the Polish countryside and her love for the ocean.

Is there a piece you've created that feels especially personal to you?

"I love a good story. I've always wanted to combine my two major passions — surfing and ceramics — and it took me about three years to figure out how.

Recently, I created the 'Meet me at the Coast' collection: everyday tableware featuring ceramic photos applied directly onto the pieces. I took each photograph myself on an analog camera, in and out of the water along the coasts of Portugal and Sri Lanka. They capture the spirit of surf culture and the ocean, fixed onto the clay using a special decal technique so they last forever."