Ania Karpińska, who signs as karpiania, works in Gdańsk. She makes functional ceramics and jewellery, paints watercolours and plates, and practises calligraphy — with humour and a belief that art should also serve everyday life. You’ll find her jewellery and intricately painted porcelain with motivational and demotivational quotes at Locus Artis in Gdańsk, where she also runs calligraphy workshops.
For years, Ania Karpińska kept her paintings in a wardrobe, because she follows a simple principle: art should not only please the eye but also be of some use. Today she sells paintings to hang on the wall too, and she sums up all her work briefly: “I create with humour.”
Her teacups show this best, bringing together her two passions, ceramics and calligraphy. She places a calligraphic inscription inside the cup — and it’s a cup you can safely put in the dishwasher.
Her plates and cups can be grotesque, tender and full of absurdity all at once. Ania spends long hours over every piece (thank goodness for long series on Netflix). She admits she can’t yet bring herself to call herself a ceramicist.
What she brought to Locus Artis.
On the shelf at Locus Artis you’ll find her rings, earrings, painted plates and teacups, as well as paintings, prints and posters.