The Artisan
Pinto, Italian Ceramics by the Sea
Follow us on a journey to the picturesque Amalfi coast and discover a centuries long tradition of ceramic arts
Text by Acelya Yonac



ALESSANDRO GIOVANNI: Despite all the current economic obstacles, managing a company that boasts such a long history is not that difficult in the end. Our tradition and know-how are so consolidated that in order create new products, all we need to do is go back to the archive and re-elaborate our signature designs in a contemporary way. And our customers want precisely this – recognizable Pinto design updated for the current times and taste of the market.


A: As we’re on the subject of innovation, Ceramica Pinto has always pushed the boundaries when it comes to the design of ceramic tiles. Can you talk to us about the creative process?


AG: Yes, the German artists introduced new folklore motifs like the now famous donkey, the fisherman and the peasant girl, all of which were not previously used in the decoration of the ceramic in Vietri.

AG: Our last major collaboration was with the now late artist Antonio Franchini. Nowadays, we are working with local talents who are given a lot of creative freedom in the current experimental phase before we can proceed with the manufacturing.


AG: It’s true, the atmosphere of Vietri sul Mare never ceases to amaze you, regardless of how used to the location you are. We could say that one downside of working in Vietri is that its beauty can at times be distracting. But we enjoy it fully and its charm compensates for the lack of infrastructure and logistics that for example are present in other, more industrial ceramics centers in Italy. But at the same time, being surrounded by the mountains and the see, sets us a part, both geographically and in terms of production as we choose to focus solely on the traditional craftsmanship.

AG: I am particularly fond of the tiles we developed in collaboration with the painter Giuseppe Capogrossi in the ‘50s. In my opinion, Capogrossi understand perfectly the dynamic between the creative mind and the artisan who makes the finished product. His designs for Ceramica Pinto were at the same time innovative and respectful to our tradition.


AG: We are always eager to welcome new artists and ideas into our work but in the meantime, we are constantly exploring our rich archive and currently we are reinterpreting some of our classic designs to emphasize their pure and original form.
