Photo credit: Katie Creighton

An Interview with Renzo Faggioli

By Anna Litofsky ’22


Renzo Faggioli, ceramist-in-residence, has been a member of the Moravian University art faculty since the 1970s. After studying at the State Scuola Ceramica Della Robbia in Florence, he pursued advanced study in the United States and completed his studies at Alfred University in Alfred, New York, and Carnegie-Mellon in Pittsburgh. His work has been shown at many major exhibitions and shows throughout the eastern United States and Europe. Moravian University Magazine asked Faggioli about his work as he prepares to retire this year.

What subject do you most enjoy sculpting? Is there a common theme you express in your work?

My main inspiration has always been nature. Back in Florence when I was a young student, I also went to architecture school. I very much enjoyed working with geometric lines. I worked with figures, animals, birds—but there was always a line of geometry that came through for me. And then I made a lot of large clay fruits like apples, pears, and cherries.

I treat the form as an aspect of beauty—I like to make things pretty, done well. I know art goes in other directions too—not everything is pretty. A lot of the intention of the arts is to express ideas even if they are not always pleasant to look at, and they’re equally valuable, because not everything in life is beautiful. Some people go in that direction as professional artists, and I never did that. I like to make things that are pleasing to look at.

What is it about working with clay that draws you to it, that is satisfying?


A lot of pieces start out on the wheel. Some people say to me, “Don’t you tire of making things on the wheel?” and I say, “No, are you tired of breathing?” It’s a part of my life. It’s always been this way, and I still enjoy putting a lump of clay on the wheel and making something. It’s fascinating to shape the clay on the wheel while it’s spinning. That’s something I started doing in Italy when
I was young.

During your tenure at Moravian, what has been particularly memorable or special?

Being here for so many years, I have very good memories about people I’ve connected with—teachers as well as students. And I’m very grateful that happened. My theory over these years: A teacher in school gives. I give all the knowledge that I have, but I also like to have something in return. You’d be surprised how much I’ve learned from students over the years because they have fresh, innovative ideas.

What would you most like to be remembered for during your time at Moravian?


I hope over all these years I’ve been here that I have made a little bit of difference to some people, not only as an artist but because I come from another culture.