Behind The Object: Paris-based Ceramicist Morgane Pasqualini

Movement, fluid and organic, pulses through the work of Morgane Pasqualini — a theme as central to her practice as the clay she molds with her hands. From her Parisian studio, she brings motion to life in her ceramics – each curve and contour a reflection of her enduring fascination with the dynamism of form.

Surrounded by her creations in her atelier, Pasqualini describes a sense of serenity: “Each piece is different, but together they create a kind of white wild forest.” The weather plays its role too — on sunny days, light streams into the space, dancing across her ceramics in a radiant spectacle. “It completely transforms the atmosphere and puts me in a joyful mood,” she adds.

Her latest series, inspired by American dancer and innovator Loïe Fuller’s iconic Serpentine Dance, breathes vitality into stillness. Pasqualini captures the dance’s fluidity in her ceramics, where light and form engage in their own subtle choreography, embodying her enduring quest to make the still seem alive.

“My perfect table gathering would be an intimate evening with women, filled with laughter, kindness, enthusiasm, and spirituality – guests would include Françoise Sagan for her Gemini energy and Virginia Woolf for her feminist wisdom.”

Why Loïe Fuller’s Serpentine Dance?

“It’s a groundbreaking 19th-century performance that used flowing silk and innovative lighting to create mesmerizing, wave-like movements – a living sculpture blending art, light, and motion. Inspired by this, I translate the fabric’s fluidity into ceramic curves, capturing the essence of the dance. This series feels like a ballet in ceramics – individual pieces uniting into a dynamic whole, constantly shifting with the light, a transformation that endlessly fascinates me.”

Can you take us through your process?

“It depends on the piece. For the Loïe Fuller series, I immerse myself in her movements through videos and photos, translating that fluidity into ceramics. I start by throwing a vase on the wheel, then gradually build with the coil technique, layer by layer. Only the interior is glazed to emphasize form. Each piece is unique — I avoid repetition, as creativity drives me. Every project is a challenge, pushing me beyond my comfort zone, which keeps the process exciting and fulfilling.”

What do you love about working with clay?

“I love clay for its transformative nature, from raw mud to solid form through fire. It engages all the elements — earth, water, air, fire — and is deeply sensorial. It teaches resilience, patience, and humility, making every creation a journey.”

Firing is such a critical part of the process — how do you approach it, and how does it feel?

“For me, firing is a very stressful part of the process, but not really a surprising or mysterious reveal, as I don’t experiment much with glaze. The real excitement comes earlier, when the final shape takes form in my hands while the piece is still completely wet, just before the drying process begins. That moment, when the piece truly comes to life, is what I find most thrilling. Of course, there is great satisfaction when I open the kiln and everything has gone well, as it’s the final step after a month of work on the piece. We are nothing without our beloved kiln!”

How do you choose your colors and textures?

“I use natural colors to preserve the purity of the form, often glazing only the interior or leaving pieces unglazed. Glaze changes the story of a piece, but I prefer when light interacts with the surface, enhancing movement and timelessness.”

What makes or breaks a table setting in your opinion?

“I prefer simplicity with soft colors, complemented by flowers, fabric, and ceramics like candle holders and plates. An unforgettable setting might even feature everything made from clay — dishes, glassware, and cutlery — bringing harmony and warmth to the table.”

What would a perfect evening around your table look like?

“My perfect table gathering would be an intimate evening with women, filled with laughter, kindness, enthusiasm, and spirituality. Guests would include Dalida for her timeless music, Françoise Sagan for her Gemini energy, Virginia Woolf for her feminist wisdom, Gisèle Halimi for her altruism, and Thalia, my studio partner, for her humor. I’d serve seasonal vegetable salads, paired with a bold, dark red wine — simple, vegetarian, and full of warmth.”

How do your surroundings shape your creative process?

“I grew up in the French Alps, where the natural world shaped my creativity. Playing outside, I drew inspiration from trees, streams, flowers, and stones, creating stories and sceneries. Even in Paris, I find ideas everywhere—a leaf, a flower, or a building detail sparks new creations. For instance, once I picked up a flower from the street, and its shape inspired a coupe. Paris, with its contrasts, has both inspired and exhausted me. The city’s beauty, from its architecture to its museums, has been a constant source of ideas. Walking to my studio, I often stop to capture a photo of a building, the sky, or a balcony—Paris is endlessly inspiring. But after 10 years, I’m ready for a calmer energy and will move to the South of France in 2025 to embrace a new pace of life.”

To see more of Morgane’s work, visit her website.