Chatting With Stepanka Horalkova

Artist Interview by Camille Houle

Stepanka Horalkova is an NYC-based ceramic artist who specializes in hand-built porcelain sculptures and functional pieces. Originally from the Czech Republic, Stepanka moved to New York in 1995. In addition to her artwork, which can be found in galleries in the US and in private collections internationally, Stepanka is a teacher and studio manager at the Columbia University Teachers College.

Arthena: How did you begin your journey as an artist?

Stepanka: I think most artists are born artists, it is just finding your way and following your intuition. For me, I was always in love with ceramics since I was a child, collecting pieces from ceramic artists at art fairs back home in South Bohemia where I grew up, sadly there was no place to do ceramics anywhere.

When I came to New York 20 years ago, the first year I spent learning English and learning everything all over again, starting from zero, and then one day it just came to me, like you just switch a light on. CERAMICS. I always loved ceramics, at that moment I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life!

"...technology is truly mind blowing, being able to share your work with the world in an instance... opening doors to so many opportunities and exposing my work to such a wide audience."

A: What draws you to clay as a medium?

S: As I said, that was always there, ever since I remember I just loved ceramics, I was fascinated for no reason, can't explain it!

I remember my first clay project from when I was 10 years old... I just dug up some dirt near the house, made beads, placed them into a can and put the can into the furnace. The can melted and I had to rescue my beads from the pile of ash. I wore my beads very proudly!

A: What message, expression or emotion do you seek to impart through your work?

S: Being able to connect to audience, making someone's day more enjoyable, making an object that is pleasing to all senses as well as inspiring and uplifting!

A: In addition to being an independent artist, you also teach ceramics at Columbia. How has being a teacher and mentor influenced your work?

S: It has helped me to grow as a person, and that definitely reflects in my work in so many ways.

"...we all have our own path to walk, do not rush, take your time..."

A: Throughout your career you've successfully used online platforms, such as Instagram and Etsy, to share your work. How do you think artists can benefit the most from technology?

S: The technology is truly mind blowing, being able to share your work with the world in an instance. Etsy has been really amazing in that sense, opening doors to so many opportunities and exposing my work to such a wide audience.

Same with Instagram, great platform for giving your fans more of an inside of how it all happens, not just the finished product. I love taking pictures and capturing the beauty of everyday life and posting photos of things that inspire me as well as posting photos of work in progress, it makes me think about my work in different way!

A: What's your favorite place to go in the City for inspiration?

S: New York is an amazing place for Inspiration! I get most inspired when I bike which is everyday, I commute to the studio and just ride around the city all the time. My favorite place is to ride by the Hudson River, the water, the sky is ever-changing, absolutely love the Little red light house under the GW bridge and just the feeling I get when I ride keeps my mind centered... it's almost like a meditation for me!

A: What's one piece of advice you'd give to young artists trying to get their work out there?

S: Stay true to yourself, we all have our own path to walk, do not rush, take your time, know that everything has it's time and place.

Know that if you do what you love the audience will find you, and the financial reward will follow!

Camille is Team Member and Staff Writer at Arthena.