Andrea Zarraluqui, a Spanish artist recognized for her delicate hand-painted tableware, transforming plates into authentic canvases of art. In 2016 she took a radical turn to devote herself completely to her passion, turning her hobby into a thriving studio in Madrid reflecting her deep connection to nature.
When you work on a tableware collection, how do you decide which elements should stand out, such as color, texture, or shape?
“Most of the designs I create between commissions, and then people request them with a certain customization. Sometimes with colors, sometimes with initials, but the main thing is imagining how they will look when placed on the table.”
In a globalized world, what benefits do you believe there are in supporting small businesses and local artisans in the design of tableware and other products?
“It is important to support the artisan so that traditional crafts are not lost. For buyers nowadays, handmade and personalized items are fortunately valued, though the foreign client generally appreciates the artisan’s time more than the local client does.”
Do you have a specific design process you follow for each project?
“I generally make a sketch on a plate for the client’s approval before proceeding with the full order if it’s something new. If it’s a design they’ve seen before, it’s not necessary, unless there are changes in color.”
What is your favorite piece of tableware that you’ve designed so far?
“I don’t have a favorite design, but I really like the ones I make in bamboo and those with little ‘chinitos’ motifs.”
What challenge does working with recycled ceramic pose in your designs?
“I try not to use ceramic because it is more fragile than porcelain, but when someone brings me an antique porcelain set to repaint I have to warn them of the risk that a plate might break in the kiln since they are irreplaceable. It rarely happens, but it does sometimes.”
How much does nature influence the design of your tableware?
“Nature is the main source of inspiration for almost all my tableware. The ideas are infinite!!”
How do you see the connection between tableware and the culinary experience in your design?
“I really don’t think about the food when I design tableware, I think about how the tableware will look on the table when it’s set before sitting down to dinner.”
What is your favorite hotel?
“In Madrid, without a doubt, El Santo Mauro.”
What place in the world would you like to visit wearing your friulanes?
“Japan!! It’s a country I’ve been wanting to visit for several years now…”
How would you design your perfect Cayumas?
“I enjoy mixing geometric with figurative… flowers with a striped border, for example.”
