Gaya Ceramic and Design is an artisan ceramic studio located in Bali, Indonesia. Founded by Michela and Marcello, it employs local Balinese artisans to handcraft ceramic wall art, sculptures, and tableware. Inspired by Bali's culture and landscapes, Gaya's pieces are sold internationally to high-end clients. The company emphasizes craftsmanship, creativity, and respect for local traditions.
2. ART SHINES Gaya Ceramic and Design has been
shaped with great patience
and deliberation, in the harmonic
atmosphere of Bali. Founders
and directors, Michela and Marcello,
have paired their long experience together
in Italy with the skills and enthusiasm,
passion and diversity, of a group of equally
passionate people to establish a place
where intuition and inspiration combine.
Gaya artists work with the client
to create and develop exquisite designs
and artworks to fit their specific
needs whether that be in an exclusive
setting, in a home, or in a public place.
Each product is carefully made by hand:
Ceramic modular wallpapers, glowing
porcelain illuminations, enigmatic
sculptures, unique outdoor decorations,
art installations and magnificent
tableware. Gaya utilizes porcelain,
stoneware, raku clay, and other ceramic
materials to fit the specific demands
of the client, to harmonise every element
from the overall design concept down
to the individual glaze colours.
3. Through constant experimentation
and thanks to the extraordinary
capabilities and commitment
of the production team Balinese
craftsmen are among the best in the
world Gaya designers search for
the ideal expressions to translate the
stimuli around them, large and small,
into objects that reveal original and
fascinating shapes, colours and moods.
Our every-day is a fusion Gaya Ceramic and Design aspires
of sure and unsure circumstances, to manifest the tangibility of mood.
predictions and uncertain By translating the elusive breath
of an artistic inspiration into a
situations an infinite world of functioning, tangible object, they work
technical precision then mistakes, to make real a concept - even a dream.
solutions and delusions, hard Daily work at Gaya consists of an
work simplicity and happiness. alchemical blend of the solidity of clay,
For us, nothing is more lovely. with the mystery of fire the certainty
of dexterous hands, with the serendipity
Michela and Marcello of opening the kiln the gradual
accumulation of years of experience,
with the ever- spontaneous burst
of creativity.
4. CRE-ACTIONS Gaya Ceramic and Design strives
to design and produce handmade
objects that are a combination
of the highest quality of sourcing
and production control, with constant
aesthetic exploration.
The Italian refinement of taste
and sensitive creativity, together with
the astonishing artistic tradition
of the Balinese, permeates all Gayas
creations - even when the subjects are
inspired by stimuli from beyond these
cultural boundaries. Gaya creates its
own collection of designs and products,
as well as individual and exclusive product
A great flame lines for some of the most demanding
follows a little spark. international customers in the world.
Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy AMAN RESORTS
ARMANI CASA
BULGARI HOTELS AND RESORTS
COMO SHAMBALA RESORTS
RITZ CARLTON HOTELS
URBAN ZEN
Gaya Ceramic and Design has a vast accumulation of knowledge and skills
on every Interior Design element and rules (both to be respected and to be broken)
INTERIOR DESIGN, and also offers Interior Design consultancy for any decorative elements.
Gaya designers follow every project through a complete development: starting
EXCEPTIONAL from aesthetic research of concept, through mood boards, to detailed documentation,
even3D-rendering, and technical drawings for selected suppliers.
INSIGHT For producing textiles, glass, rattan, wood, silver and many other possible requested
materials needed for a design project, Gaya has strong established relationships
with the highest quality local manufacturers.
Every stage of the process is carefully controlled until the final products are individually
perfected, in harmony with the concept as a whole.
5. WE DO NOT Maintaining the impalpable magic
of artistic inspiration, Gaya Ceramic
PRODUCE and Design approaches each project
with a clearly structured process.
WE CREATE Clients are an active part of the work
team and are encouraged to share
their ideas, in order that the resultant
product will remain in harmony
with each clients viewpoint.
In the initial phase, Gaya defines moods
and guidelines, preparing source images
and relevant text to communicate
background and atmosphere
I dont believe in total freedom surrounding the project. Later, ideas
for the artist. Left on his own are translated into sketches and 3D
free to do anything he likes, renderings, leading up to the selection
the artist ends up doing nothing of items to be created in prototype,
analysis and revision, until the design
at all. If theres one thing is defined, and ready for production.
thats dangerous for an artist, However, it is of utmost importance
its precisely this question that, at the end of the design process,
of total freedom, waiting for Gaya Ceramic and Design creates
inspiration and all the rest of it. the ceramics itself, ensuring that each
piece has the integrity of a handmade
Federico Fellini piece of art, of which to be proud.
6. ART PASSION, Through study, experimentation
and a constant development of skills,
All glazes are foodsafe and lead-free.
Colour palettes have high mechanical
HARD WORK Gaya artists and technicians dedicate strength and surface characteristics
great energy to exploring new materials necessary for hard-wearing in
and processes, pushing research on operational use.
shape, colour and surface to its limit.
To strengthen the creative ability
With incredible aesthetic flexibility, from and technical skill of designers and
organic to minimalist, Gaya can design staff, to promote craftsmanship,
any possible hand made shape, giving and to implement the understanding
just the right texture and form to be of the handmade process of ceramics,
able to match the particular mood GAYA CERAMIC ARTS CENTER was
of the design project. Gaya creative office conceived. This educational arm of
is an archive of wonders thousands Gaya Ceramic and Design is two-fold
If people knew how hard of unique ceramics prototypes in concept: offering international
I worked to get my mastery, are sitting on shelves waiting to offer workshops and private classes, as
it wouldnt seem inspiration and to be transformed into well as a competitive Resident Artist
so wonderful at all. new exciting collections. Program, it provides not only a place
of inspiration and learning for visiting
Michelangelo Buonarroti Gaya understands that colour and participants - the newly-initiated in
surface feelings must match the clients clay, and the seasoned professional;
aesthetic vision precisely. To this end, but also for the entire Gaya team.
through careful research in the glaze The close proximity to the production
laboratory, Gaya creates exclusive blends studio results in a unique intersection
of glaze options to find the perfect where inspiration and influence travel in
tonality and texture. both directions, and stimulation is high.
7. GAYA CERAMIC A team of masterful potters in a setting
of unsurpassed tropical beauty: Gaya CAC
ARTS CENTER is a place to expand horizons, to share
inspiration and technique, to experiment,
to grow and to dream. Directed by
American wood-firing ceramic artist
and painter, Hillary Kane, the Ceramic
Arts Centre offers a stimulating program
of international workshops, courses
and artist residencies. Why come half
way around the world to learn throwing
skills, or to fire a kiln? In our view, setting
is everything. The custom designed
immersions and our menu of workshops
reflects this: approaching clay not only
from the standpoint of a skill-building
experience, but also as a creative
exploration tapping stimuli from landscape,
culture, cuisine and architecture that
cannot be found anywhere but here.
Gaya CAC takes care of every detail, so that
participants can focus on the experience
at hand. And that experience is indelible:
Bali offers fecundity in every dimension,
the creative interpretations are endless.
RESIDENT ARTISTS A two-month opportunity for concentration, growth and experiment for mature
ceramic artists, the Resident Artist program is centred upon a system of exchange.
PROGRAM It is a unique occasion for a professional ceramicist to work unhindered
in Gaya CACs open-air studio, as well as an important moment in which
an abundance of technical knowledge, conceptual maturity and contagious passion
for clay is brought to both students and production studio alike.
Thanks to very interesting personalities from all over the world, including Steve Davies,
Dave Handley, Brian Kakas, Catherine Lane, Jason Lim, and Bradley Ponack,
it has already proven an amazing success.
8. THE FOUNDERS Michela Foppiani and Marcello Massoni
are a couple in life and in work.
After this visit, not only a business
vision, but also a strong friendship
They met thanks to their shared passion was born.
for clay, ceramics and design. Stefano, Nyoman and the whole
Prior to starting Gaya Ceramic Gaya Fusion group supported
and Design, they were living in a small the ceramic project from its inception,
country farm, making unique ceramic allowing Marcello and Michela
decorations, stylish tableware, to begin a dream: the possibility to be
and charming sculptures. creative without limits, competitive
Serendipitously, they were invited to Bali with the whole design world,
and productive beyond their wildest
While still residing in Italy, Marcello dream. All this in the gorgeous
and Michela, participated in many tropical environment of Bali.
international exhibitions under their
ceramic brand Color Bruno. With the support of Gaya Fusion,
During the 2002 Salone del Mobile Michela and Marcello established
exhibit in Milan, they met Stefano Grandi, Gaya Ceramic and Design in 2003
a visionary entrepreneur from Bologna, and they began producing Gaya
who simply and generously invited them Ceramic and Design collections
to join his multi-faceted Gaya Fusion and projects in 2004.
group in Bali. Today Marcello is the companys CEO,
and Michela is the Creative Director;
Marcello and Michela then visited Bali, their kids, Martino, Metello and
and met Stefanos partner and friend, Mario are the companys good luck
Nyoman Birit, Gaya Fusions director. charms.
9. COMPANY Located in Ubud, Bali (Indonesia),
all of Gaya Ceramic and Designs
Gaya exports 90% of its production
internationally, and is expanding its
OVERVIEW products come into being with creative capacity every year.
passion, a concern to preserve and
promote craftsmanship, and a desire Gaya, annually, creates about 50.000
to impart an understanding pieces, about 1.000 new designs
and an appreciation of ceramic and about 50 new ceramic collections.
handmade processes. Gayas many hands manage, mix,
wedge, throw, pinch and pat about
The company has grown to about 50 40.000 Kgs of clay every year.
employees: 70% of them heralding from
the companys residential village, Sayan. Gayas archival records (with technical
80% of Gayas employees are younger details and physical prototypes) include
than twenty-five, and the majority about 8.000 different ceramic models.
of them were initiated in ceramics with The greater part of the archive
the companys internal training programs. is Gayas master sample collection,
and the rest is the companys selection
Poor is the pupil who The Gaya Ceramic team is predominantly of prototypes - a real treasure trove
Balinese Hindu, but there are also of inspiring opportunities for buyers
does not surpass his master Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists, from and designers.
Leonardo Da Vinci
Bali and other islands of the Indonesian
archipelago a multicultural coexistence.
In Bali, Hindu ceremonies schedule
life and work; consequently, Gaya has
an internal Agama team responsible
for planning the many religious
activities throughout the year.
10. CORE VALUES We achieve EXCELLENCE with
incomparable creativity, technical
We RESPECT individuals, cultures
and the environment.
proficiency and research, attention
to detail, accuracy, meticulous quality We encourage WARMTH, courtesy
control, extra-care in serving clients, and kindness in our communication
and fluid internal organization. or interaction.
We value the DIFFERENCE: individual The SATISFACTION of our customers
abilities and contributions are recognized is our satisfaction.
and are the lifeblood of our creativity and We make all possible EFFORTS in
consequently of our company strength. solving problems or satisfying needs
We value KNOWLEDGE encouraging of our clients: we meet complaints
continuous learning to help empower all first by taking the trouble to listen
employees to reach their full potential. and then with appropriate action.
We strive for good TEAM WORK and We take RESPONSIBILITY for our
TEAM HAPPINESS: employees are our actions and promises and we uphold
most important resource, we value each commitments to the very best of our
team member and we remain united abilities.
in our successes and failures. We SEEK suppliers and customers
Camaraderie, enjoyment, professional that share the same or similar core
and personal growth are the spirit values.
of our organization.
We create the companys PROSPERITY,
We firmly believe in HONESTY, STRENGTH, SOLIDITY, STABILITY
integrity, morality and ethical values. and SECURITY through organization,
profit, and growth.
11. GAYA FUSION Gaya Ceramic and Design is part
of the Gaya Fusion Group. Like the
archipelago in which it stands, Gaya
is an organic fusion of different islands
of art and culture. An Art Space
to appreciate the latest trends in
contemporary art, a Restaurant and
Lounge to enjoy a real mix of culinary
experiences, a string of elegant Villas
to offer relaxation in a beautiful
setting, an authentic Gelateria
to experience Italys delicacies
with tropical flavours and inspirations,
and Ceramic and Design to manifest
the pinnacle of craftsmanship in clay
Each remains true unto itself, but
together they create synergies and
hidden connections. They re-integrate
art with life, and bring together
interesting individuals from around
the world; they re-invest profits into
dreams that become projects that
become events that change lives
www.gayafusion.com
Gaya Fusions logo is a simple bowl, humble in its suggestion, but deeply
connected to the essence of its use. A bowl holds.
THE LOGO Gaya Fusion holds ideas, creativity, passion, emotion, enthusiasm, individuals,
craftwork, fine art, hospitality, flavour, aroma and sweetness. It is the symbol
of the space in which our entire contents are held.
Love is simply an immense empty space able to contain the gifts
of the world, capable of welcoming emotions that otherwise slip away
The greatest richness is this emptiness able to contain everything.
Matteo Marchesi logo designer
12. SURPRISING Bali is magical: spirituality permeates
every moment of every day, and leads GAYA CERAMIC
INSPIRING BALI to harmony and calm. An acclaimed AND DESIGN
destination since the thirties, Bali has
still been able to evolve according to its Jalan Raya Sayan
Amandari
Hotel N
indigenous nature and has impressively Ubud Bali Neka
preserved the complex system of its own Indonesia 80571 Museum
traditions-- the highest expression of which
can be witnessed in religious ceremonies. Phone +62 (0)361 7451413
+62 (0)361 976220 fusion
The Balinese are a generous people.
Email ceramicanddesign@gayafusion.com er
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staggers and amazes all but the Balinese.