“You step on the ground and at a certain point you discover that what lies beneath your feet can become a ‘noble’ material. There’s a profound sense of fulfillment in realizing that the land you live on is literally your raw material, in physically connecting with it, and in taking pride in the place you call home.”
Biagio Lamberti Biagio Lamberti is an architect and ceramicist originally from Potenza who lives and works in Matera. He creates unique objects that blend modern design with ancient craftsmanship. His most iconic works literally emerge from the soil of the Lucania region, embodying the stories and unhurried pace of its characteristic landscapes.
An aesthetic, physical, and conceptual bond with the territory arises from a manual process that is as demanding as it is unique: the clay used in his special creations is gathered by him directly from the Calanchi (badlands), then purified and kneaded by hand and foot.
The essence of Basilicata comes through in the vivid, tactile textures of his work, inspired by the earth’s colors at various stages of transformation. The raw clay tones evoke the grays and yellows of the badlands, while—after firing—the material takes on shades ranging from straw-yellow and pinkish hues to the warm colors of sun-scorched earth.
