Taanka Friends - Tünde Ruzicska
Tünde Ruzicska is an exceptionally gifted ceramic designer from Hungary. I was lucky enough to meet her during a university course at MOME, where we both had a mentoring role, and I was just blown away by her talent, professionalism and altruistic personality.
I took the opportunity to bring the NAZRA jacket she fell in love with to her lovely Budapest based studio and get a glimpse into the magic place where these amazing Tünde Ruzicska creations are made. It is a great pleasure for me that we have gotten to know and like each other and it means a lot to me that Tünde, who is a fantastically talented artist with great taste, loves and appreciates Taanka pieces. So let me introduce her, and her amazing art & craft, which is unique in the Hungarian new craft field today.
Tünde graduated from the István Tömörkény Art Secondary School in Szeged, majoring in ceramics. Her master, the late László Tuza, encouraged her to apply to the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, where she graduated as a silicate designer and teacher. After graduating in 2010, she taught in Szeged for three years at her alma mater. She then received art scholarships and trained at the International Ceramics Studio in Kecskemét, Hungary, in workshops led by foreign artists.
You'll find Tünde's gorgeous ceramic creations on the tables of Budapest's most esteemed restaurants. She's a regular contributor to top interior design magazines, and as a teacher, she's an incredible source of knowledge and inspiration. She's one of the most respected contemporary Hungarian ceramic artist who has built a successful business based on her art. Tünde's handmade products are already available in loads of places. You can find them at the Michelin-starred Essência Restaurant and Rumour, St. Andrea and Rosenstein Restaurant. You can find her teacups and accessories at Zhao Zhou and Scruton, or in the shops of The Pelikan Coffee Company in Vienna.
Tünde has a strong affinity for contemporary craft. She makes the most beautiful bowls and plates by hand, using either the wood firing technique or an electric kiln. Each piece is completely unique and unrepeatable, which I think is so special in her works! She's on a mission to bring a fresh perspective to contemporary ceramics and fine-dining culture, breathing new life into traditional techniques and adding her own personal touch to it.
For Tünde creating unique tableware is not just about aesthetics. She believes that combining distinctive shapes and usability, mixing tradition and innovation is the only way. This approach is strongly present in her work: the pieces in her dinnerware collections are delicate, bearing the clean simplicity of Hungarian folk ceramics. Yet, thanks to the techniques she uses, they are robust enough to withstand use in a modern kitchen or restaurant.
“I find the subtle simplicity and good usability of Hungarian folk ceramics very inspiring. For this reason, I use high-fired porcelain and stoneware with glazes that can be washed in the dishwasher and microwave, making them suitable for modern kitchens and restaurants” - sais Tünde.
Only in her sculptures is she willing to let go of the limits of practicality. Tünde is a committed and skilled craftswoman, but she believes that excellence alone is not enough: she must also find her own expression in her work.
Tünde's humility and commitment to her craft, her focus and professional consistency are truly inspiring for me. Asked what advice she would give to the youngest generation of ceramic designers, she says:
“Learn the basics of the craft. Visit every art school, observe your peers, be persistent and do your work with passion. But above all, find your own creative voice and be self-directed with your work.”
If you're interested in getting to know the world of ceramics, I'd really recommend checking out Tünde's workshops. You'll get to experience the joy of working with clay and you'll also have a fantastic time doing it!
Thank you, Tünde, for your hospitality! It's a real pleasure getting to know you! 🤍
