Francesco and Zaira are the creative duo behind The Freaky Raku, a ceramics studio that blends the ancient art of raku with a contemporary, unconventional twist. Originally inspired by a need for handmade props for Zaira’s still life photography, the project has since evolved into a thriving artistic endeavour. Francesco, a self-taught ceramicist, and Zaira, a photographer and stylist, draw from their Venetian surroundings to create pieces that celebrate imperfection and uniqueness. In this interview, they share their journey from the start to international recognition, the influence of Venice’s lagoon on their work, and their deep connection to both the materials they use and the philosophy that guides their creative process.
Francesco, how did your journey with ceramics begin, and what does it mean to you personally?
Francesco: My fascination with ceramics started early, watching potters work at fairs when I was a child, but I actually stumbled into the world of ceramics almost by necessity. Zaira, my partner, needed props for her still life photography, and we thought, “Why not make our own?” That’s when I decided to take a ceramics decoration course, learning the basics of glazes. I borrowed a potter’s wheel and even built my first kiln. Ceramics, for me, is more than a craft; it’s a language—an expressive medium where I’m still learning the vocabulary, gradually shaping ideas and desires into tangible pieces.
Your project is called The Freaky Raku. What’s the story behind the name, and what does “freaky” mean to you?
Francesco: The name comes from a song by Die Antwoord called I Fink You Freaky. It’s a playful anthem to the beauty in things that are unconventional, even odd. For us, “freaky” represents uniqueness, imperfections, and the unusual. In ceramics, this is reflected in pieces that embrace their flaws—like a chipped plate that no longer fits the set but gains its own personality. We celebrate these imperfections because they add character and value. Our work focuses on this concept, making each piece a bit “freaky” and unique in its own way.
You use the raku technique, which has deep roots in Japanese ceramics. Why did you choose this method, and what do you find most captivating about it?
Francesco: Raku has a fascinating history. As a ceramic firing technique, it was originally developed for the ancient Japanese tea ceremony in the 16th century and is strongly tied to Zen philosophy and influenced by the impact Buddhism has had on Japanese culture. It seems that this technique was created by chance by a craftsman named Chojiro. The Wabi-Sabi aesthetic of embracing imperfection and transience resonates with us deeply. What draws me most to raku is its unpredictability—every firing is an event. We combine elemental forces like fire, water, air, and earth in a process where control meets chance, resulting in unique and unrepeatable objects. To quickly create ceramics that appeared “lived-in,” he used the same materials: sandy clays and the same technique used for tile production, extracting ceramics from the kiln at the maximum temperature. The thermal shock caused by the cooling process gave the ceramics an aged appearance, adding a certain aesthetic value to the objects according to the Wabi-Sabi beauty standards. The crackling in the glaze, the smoke patinas—these are the surprises we eagerly anticipate in each piece.
Can you walk us through the stages of raku firing?
Francesco: The process is quite hands-on. First, we shape the pieces and let them dry naturally. Then, they go through an initial “biscuit” firing. Once glazed, the second, crucial firing begins. This happens in a kiln heated to around 900–1,000°C, after which the red-hot pieces are pulled out and placed into a container filled with combustible material like sawdust or leaves. This creates an oxygen-deprived environment, which results in the beautiful crackled glaze and smoky, aged patina that characterises raku ceramics. The tension between the heat and the sudden cooling forms those signature “crazing” effects, making each piece distinct.
The Venice Lagoon plays a big part in your creative process. How does this environment inspire your work?
Zaira: The lagoon is our sanctuary. We explore it by boat, venturing into its serene, almost otherworldly landscapes. The muted tones of the water, the vibrant purples of Limonium flowers, the earthy greys of the seabed—these colours are a continuous source of inspiration. For us, it’s not just a place; it’s a state of mind. We slow down, observe nature, and translate that minimalism and peacefulness into our ceramics. The shapes we create are often influenced by traditional Japanese forms, but the lagoon’s simplicity and natural beauty guide our colour choices and overall design, blending Venetian and Scandinavian aesthetics.
You’ve mentioned your “Barena” collection, which is linked to the Venice Lagoon. Can you tell us more about it?
Francesco: The “Barena” collection holds a special place in our hearts. We use clay we personally collect from the lagoon’s sandbanks—areas that were historically used by Venetian potters for their ceramics. There’s a deep sense of connection to the past when working with this clay. The first time we fired it, and the pieces came out in shades of soft pink due to the minerals in the brackish clay, it felt like we were continuing an ancient Venetian tradition. Every piece is infused with the spirit of the lagoon, and it’s incredibly meaningful for us.
Q: Zaira, as a photographer and stylist, you play a key role in The Freaky Raku’s creative direction. How does your background influence your work with ceramics?
Zaira: Photography taught me to see beauty in the details, especially in the imperfect or overlooked. When we started creating our own ceramics, it was a natural extension of what I already sought in props for my still life compositions—pieces that felt lived-in, with stories of their own. Now, I handle the communication and conceptual side of our collections, but I also love glazing and modelling the pieces. Every part of our work has to pass my aesthetic eye before it’s released, from how it looks in a photo to the way it fits into the larger narrative of our brand.
Zaira, Venice is clearly central to your work and inspiration. What does the city mean to you personally?
Zaira: Venice, for me, is home in the deepest sense of the word. It’s a place where time seems to have its own rhythm, and I’ve always felt it carries a certain kind of magic. Growing up there gave me a unique appreciation for beauty, history, and imperfection—elements that I think can be found in everything I create. I love how the saltwater marks the stones, and the buildings seem to age gracefully under the weight of time. The city’s fragility, like the imperfection we embrace in our ceramics, is what makes it truly beautiful to me. It’s not just a physical space; it’s an emotional and creative landscape that’s always part of my thought process. Whether I’m styling a photograph or helping shape a piece of pottery, Venice is always in the background, guiding my choices in ways I’m not always fully aware of but that deeply resonate.
Looking ahead, what’s next for The Freaky Raku?
Francesco: We’re expanding internationally, but we remain committed to maintaining the uniqueness of each piece. As we continue to refine our aesthetic, we’re also eager to explore new possibilities with the materials around us, whether it’s experimenting with more lagoon clay or even incorporating elements of local natural resources into our glazes. Every day is a new chapter of discovery for us.
