Ceramicist Ly Tiido
Ly Tiido is a ceramicist whose interest in ceramics and clay developed gradually, both by chance and subconsciously over time. Even to this day, she is amazed by the variety of different techniques, forms, styles, and glazes the medium offers.
First encounters with clay
In 1992, while studying Danish at Askov Folk University in Denmark during her sabbatical year from the University of Tartu, she attended ceramics classes in her free time. There simply weren’t many other leisure activities available. Making thick-bottomed jugs and teapots on a foot-powered, mechanical pottery wheel was to pass the time and for her own creative enjoyment. Activities that require manual dexterity have always suited her.
Rediscovering
It would be several years before she rediscovered clay. In 2009, she accidentally met Stina Valgma – a schoolmate and ceramicist who became her instructor for many years. It was at Loovala, then located in the Rotermann Quarter. Ly made simple items such as mugs, bowls, plates, and platters as a way to unwind from day-job, and for her own enjoyment and that of her friends.
Determined training
Having determined to look deeper into the world of ceramics, she participated in the annual Estonian Academy of Arts course ‘Introduction to Ceramics’ in the 2018/2019 academic year. There both the theoretical and practical aspects of pottery making were covered.
A year in Portugal
Following the spread of the coronavirus in 2020, Ly ended her 20-year career as an entrepreneur and owner of a translation agency. The agency had participated in large translation procurements, both European Union and domestic, and served numerous Estonian companies. In 2022, she moved to Portugal for a year. During this time, she developed a passion for the ceramic tiles and patterns that adorn the local architecture and streetscape. She visited local pottery studios to tinker and learned how to paint maiolica at a small ceramics studio Maria Rosa Ceramica in Sintra. It was also in Portugal that it became clear to her that she wanted to work with ceramics as her main profession.
Becoming a certified ceramicist
In 2024 Ly took up a 2-year ceramicist training at the Vana-Vigala Technical and Service School which made it possible for her to explore the diverse world of ceramics even more. She is now a certified level 4 professional ceramicist and would like to thank her instructors at school, who inspired her immensely: Stella Tillo, Margit Mald, Rita Randmaa, Kristi Kuurme, and Agni Laats.
Her own studio
Today, Ly Tiido works in her own pottery studio at Raua 65 in Tallinn. In the future, she aims to create large forms, ceramic tiles, and many other things that are yet to be imagined as the wide range of ceramic techniques offers endless possibilities for exploration.