Delfina Emmanuel

As a child, Emmanuel grew up surrounded by the traditions and perfumes of Sardinia, a land rich in marine life. Her work is influenced by her native culture with its music and folk-costumes of luxuriant materials adorned with precious jewels. She was captivated by the gentle flowing of the living creatures found in the seabed, particularly by coral and the variety of porous sponges.

In 1974, she came to England and discovered the world of ceramics at Harrow College under the tutelage of John Higgins who, beyond basic techniques, taught her how to express her individuality.

In 2004, she decided to study for a degree at the University of Westminster in London, graduating in 2007. During this time, Delfina focused more on hand building and became interested in oval shaped forms. Research of the Italian Renaissance of the 15th and 16th century and in particular the ornamental sculpture of the Florentine Della Robbia family became a significant influence.

With the desire to make her objects visually attractive she found inspiration in the Art of Imperial Russia in the manner of the jeweller Carl Fabergé’s famous eggs, and in Karl Blossfeldt’s illustrations of the structure of aquatic creatures in his book “Small Element in Nature”.