To understand the work of Maryam Riazi, on our series “ceramics pick of the month,” it is essential to know where she is from. Maryam grew up in Persia, actual Iran, in a city called Shiraz. A city celebrated for being the heartbeat of the Persian culture, therefore home to poets, culture, and art. It is located on a beautiful green plain, full of orange trees and gardens.
Maryam Riazi grew up in these beautiful surroundings. She is a self-taught ceramic artist, as she studied Fashion Design at Otis Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles. Only later on, she transferred and graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.
About her work
Her work is as diverse and profound as the culture she was exposed to growing up in Shiraz. She works in creating modern yet bizarre shapes, with an evident middle east influence. Indeed, she decorated cups and other pieces with Arabic words and symbols.
She uses the right balance hue of colors, never clashing between them. There is no conflict in her work, but pure harmony, transmitted through the shapes of the pieces and color choice.
There are earthy colors, such as ocra and brown. Shades of black, grey, and white. Pastels and an intense turquoise that, in spite of being a cool color, gives out a warm vibe and cozy feeling. In her work, one can find imaginary plants, whimsical nature, and the creatures living there. She also creates more functional pieces, such as everyday cups, plant pots, a small container for everyday objects.
Beside her carrier as a ceramic artist, Maryan has pursued other artistic interests in jewelry making, silversmithing, casting, and weaving throughout her life. Nowadays, she is pursuing a career as a full-time ceramic artist from her studio in Los Angeles. Very far away from the poetic scenario of Shiraz, but living it and transmitting it to the broader public through her work.
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