Interview

Written By Adelé Kotzé

Martha Biernacka

Martha is a ceramic artist whose work intricately explores the themes of nature, travel, and interconnectedness. Based in Guelph, Ontario, she finds inspiration in the organic rhythms of the natural world, drawing on personal experiences to create pieces that resonate with the cyclical nature of life. With a deep appreciation for the natural world, Martha uses the tactile medium of stoneware clay to capture the delicate relationships between flora and fauna. Each piece reflects a journey through diverse landscapes, inviting viewers to contemplate their own connections to the environment. Sitting at the wheel, she delights in the meditative process of shaping clay, allowing intuition to guide her hands. This hands-on experience not only shapes the final crafts but also embodies the harmony and balance found in nature. Martha aims to provoke thought and to evoke feelings, encouraging viewers to reflect on their place within the intricate web of life.

Martha has exhibited her work in various local businesses, art shows, galleries, and community artisan markets and continues to explore new ways to blend artistic expression with a message of environmental awareness and interconnectedness. When not creating, she enjoys spending any and all free time outside, whether alone or with good company further enriching her artistic practice. Martha invites you to engage with her work and join in a conversation about the beauty and complexity of our world.

 

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I am a Canadian based artist with Polish roots. I come from a family of biologists and I pursued an undergraduate education at the University of Guelph in both Zoology and Business. Since an early age, I was always creative, and liked to keep my hands busy. I have always been drawn to the natural world, spending most of my time outside, chasing new adventures as each day passes. This is not to discredit the role my parents played in my upbringing. The values of the importance of sustaining life, respecting nature and all living things was not glossed over. I was raised with the ideology that if you give back to nature, in return, it will provide you with everything you need.

This doctrine did not stop with the natural world. Through these various nomadic travels, I was always drawn to one thing in particular; expression through art. I learned that no matter where you may be from, or what you may have experienced, everyone is able to communicate through the universal language of art. A depiction of raw emotion, a story with no words, a collection of elements that elicit a feeling, a place, a process. As I have transitioned into adulthood, I continue to travel and experience the world. I see my art as a meditative process, a happy place, a calm against the storm. My collections are depictions of my life, what I see, how I feel and what inspires me. The grit of clay as it is worked into a piece of functional art, provides reflection to my inner child, playing in the red sands of the Namibian Desert, or digging my feet deep into the riverbanks of the chilled fjords of Norway. As I look back, I can see how much I have grown. My pieces serving as a tangible timeline of the cycles of growth and development of maturing into adulthood. The messy aspect of pottery serves as a sweet reminder to succumb to the process, knowing eventually it all falls into place, just as it is meant to. I am eternally grateful to all those who support me in this journey, and that grant me the opportunity to explore and experiment with this medium in all capacities.”

What inspires you?

“My artwork is derived from my profound personal experiences. Experiences that elicit this kind of creative inspiration are situations that have a deeper, long lasting significance in my life. These include interactions with nature, people and places. Oftentimes, it is the interconnectedness between those three elements that invite a spark of inspiration to create a new collection.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“I typically pursue themes of nature and places I have travelled to. Whether that be the warm, woodsy, and natural earthy undertones of temperate deciduous forests of my very hometown, or the dry unforgiving landscape of barren land. I work with many rutile blue elements to depict the crisp contrast of ice cold glacier run off through Scandinavian fjords, or nautical elements of Canadas beautiful Newfoundland. I love to compliment my pieces not only through their various shapes, but also through the expression of colour theory.”

How would you describe your work?

“My work reflects the intricate beauty of nature, with elements of organic forms and earthy textures. Delving into personal experiences, my pieces capture moments or feelings. The bond I feel to the natural world showcases landscapes or elements that speak to interconnectedness, making each piece a unique storytelling element.”

Which artists influence you most?

“Imagining Mother Nature as an artist brings to life vibrant landscapes, intricate ecosystems, and the ultimate harmony of colors and textures. My creations reflect the beauty of cycles and growth, with each season telling a different story. I try to imitate the ultimate essence of nature's rhythms, mirroring the fluctuations of changing patterns through ceramic forms. This imitation of interconnectedness creates a dialogue about balance and harmony, inviting viewers to reflect on their place within these cycles.”

“I typically pursue themes and tone of nature and places I have travelled to. Whether that be the warm, woodsy, and natural undertones of temperate deciduous forests of my very hometown, or the dry unforgiving land of the Namibian desert.”

What is your creative process like?

“My creative process involves immersing myself in nature, observing its patterns and relationships. I often begin with sketches or photographs, then experiment with materials. As I shape each piece I allow intuition and inspiration to guide me. The hands-on process of throwing various clay bodies on the wheel allows me explore the natural rhythms of creation, echoing the organic flows I admire most in nature.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“As an artist, my role is to channel the beauty and complexity of nature into tangible forms, influencing others to appreciate interconnectedness. Through my ceramics, I hope to inspire reflection on our relationship with the environment, fostering a deeper understanding of its rhythms. I hope to elicit a feeling, a provoking question, a pique in curiosity, whatever that may mean to you.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“My recent exhibitions include Art on the Street (2023) and Art on the Street (2024). Each year, established and emerging artists all over southern Ontario showcase their works to several thousand visitors in temporary, open-air studios. Art on the Street is an event which welcomes art lovers of all ages. This event is extra special to me because the event is located in my hometown of Guelph, Ontario.”

 
Adelé Kotzé
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