the studio

In February 2022, I opened my first studio in Dornbirn, returning to my hometown after over a decade of extensive travel.
By lucky chance, I found a beautiful room in a traditional farmer’s house in a beautiful old area of the town, surrounded by old houses and stone wells and beautiful gardens. After having moved in, like magic, an old printing press appeared, and a ceramic kiln. The press was given to me out of the estate of a printmaker who lived and worked in the Bregenzer Wald, and the kiln was passed to me by a ninety-year-old ceramist from Dornbirn who was retiring.
My studio is a very special place for me – opening the door is like diving into a world full of peace and magic, and I enjoy every second spent there – ok almost ;-) Frustration is also part of creation.
I currently mostly work in ceramics, creating objects from clay and porcelain, which are all unique pieces, created and painted by hand. Amongst the objects I make arre sculptures, plates, bowls, tea and espresso cups, jars and spoons. Many of them are inspired by images and myths found on my travels around the world.
I like my studio to be an open space: (Almost) every Friday evening, I invite people to draw with me, and it has become a ritual that means a lot to me.
I also teach art workshops for children and adults – here you can find out more about the activities in my studio.

I have no fixed opening hours, but you are always welcome to try your luck or visit my studio by appointment – you can contact me here

Studio Bianca Tschaikner
Badgasse 3,
6850 Dornbirn
Vorarlberg, Austria

Working with ceramics

Creating ceramics is a cyclical process stretching over several months requiring lots of patience and care. There is a lot of work behind every ceramic piece and during the working process, I’ve held every piece in my hands many times. The first step is to form the actual pieces from clay or porcelain –  plates, cups or sculptures. The pieces are then stored on the shelves and left to dry. Then, they are sanded and finished. Then, they can be bisque-fired at 900°. The firing takes three days. Some pieces don't survive the fire and crack or break.

After the first firing, the pieces are ready to be painted and glazed. When everything is finished, I place them again in the kiln and then they are fired again at 1250°. This firing also takes three days, and at the end, I can't wait for the kiln to cool down, so I can open it: It's like Christmas! Many pieces surprise me (and sadly, some pieces haven't survived this fire either).

In an almost alchemist process, the fire has added something to my creative process, and over time, I discover more and more interesting details. 
And then, surrounded by my new pieces, I take a piece of clay in my hand, and the work process starts over again. 

You can read more about the working process in my article The Price and pricelessness of art