“Family, culture, intergenerational conversations and superstitions, late-night endless meals of homemade pasta, fresh fish and sweet desserts, blinding sun and saturated volcanic rocks, the smell of sulfur from Vulcano Island, the taste of glistening salty seas, nonnas peeping from the balcony windows, and waiting in the chaotic line for the late aliscafos–this is what my Sicily is!” Gabriella fondly tells me.įrom the stunning countryside of Bronte, renowned for its delectable pistachios, Stefania Boemi is a woman of many talents. She mixes her own glazes and utilizes decorative painting techniques. Her pieces narrate traditional Sicilian stories through soft multi-hued colors, the Mediterranean landscape, mythological creatures, wildflowers, fruits, and abstracted female faces. Gabriella specializes in paintings, textiles, and ceramic designs like wavy, asymmetrical mirrors, hand-painted bathroom tiles, and vases with a mishmash of Sicilian iconography each contains a playful charm. There’s such a rich culture here that still lives on today and is reflected through the Greek ruins, baroque architecture, and volcanic terrain.” It’s on this little island, surrounded by its tranquil beauty and her family’s heritage, that she creates and explores new artistic horizons: “I’m most inspired when I’m in Sicily–especially in the Aeolian Islands. Gabriella finds her greatest inspiration during summers spent with her family on Lipari, where her father grew up and where she has set up her studio. In 2019, Gabriella’s dreams became a reality when she founded Idda Studio, named after the Sicilian word for “her” (as well as the local nickname for the active volcano Mount Etna ) and inspired by the strong women in her life. As a child, she immersed herself in old folklore tales, superstitions, and traditional Sicilian arts and crafts, planting the seeds for her future creative endeavors. Gabriella Picone, a creative force to be reckoned with, was raised between two worlds–the bustling city streets of Manhattan and the serene, volcanic island of Lipari. Here, five Sicilian ceramists, altering the landscape of “made in Sicily” and breathing new life into the industry, that you should keep an eye on: Now, a younger generation of Sicilian artisans, scattered throughout the island, are making their mark on this rich timeline, blending modern artistic styles with traditional craftsmanship. Finally, Burgio features a classic ceramic palette with beige sandy backgrounds and earthy ochre, green, and orange decorations. Sciacca has been renowned for its ceramics since 800 BC and is famous for maiolica decorated with vivid cornflower blues, seawater turquoises, and sunny yellows that stand out on pure white. Santo Stefano di Camastra glitters with handmade ceramic mosaics and tiles with fiery, orange-red bases, adorned with delicate patterns in blues and white. Since 200 BC, Caltagirone, known as the ceramics capital of Sicily, has been producing ceramics characterized by shades of blues and emerald greens, golden yellow floral motifs, and the glazing technique introduced by Arabs in the 9th century (the town’s name also stems from the Arabic word meaning “castle of vases”).

Today, the thriving Sicilian ceramics industry is centered around four main towns, each of which showcases a unique cultural fusion. We all know that Sicily has been a melting pot of different people, and each left their own mark on the region’s aesthetic, color palette, and designs: the Romans introduced terra sigillata (warm, reddish pottery with intricate details) the Arabs brought their tin-glazing technique, notable green color palette, and geometric patterns and the Spanish established the practice of maiolica and azulejos, two forms that are still prominent today. Fueled by passionate, poetic storytelling, Sicilian ceramica has been passed down through generations since the Neolithic age.

The island’s clay–unique for its distinct combination of silicates–has produced high-quality ceramics celebrated worldwide for centuries. From splattered plates that line the tables of trattorias to the Teste di Moro peering down from every balcony to the ubiquitous pigna (pine cones) symbolizing vitality, good health, and luck, ceramics are everywhere in Sicily.

Ceramic picture tiles made in italy