Magda Rentziou
I am a co-founder of the Formi network. Five years ago, five women with a shared vision created this network with the aim of empowering female artisans, expanding access to broader markets, and offering mentorship and support.
We were inspired by the desire to preserve the traditional character and colors of our country, while presenting them through a fresh, modern perspective – honoring the past while embracing the future.
Being part of this network and interacting daily with other creative women brings me joy, a sense of contribution, and continuous inspiration.
I truly enjoy painting and working with air- dryclay,even though my experience with ceramics is still at an early stage.
In painting, I especially love working with carcoul,and I have also spent considerable time exploring oil painting.
I find beauty and creativity in all forms of handmade art, and I remain open and eager to learn new techniques. Each craft offers its own world of expression, and I am always inspired to discover more.
Craft projects
Artwork
This artwork was created based on a photograph of a sample of this mineral. I spent a week studying and illustrating it, aiming to capture its unique character through art. It is now exhibited at the local museum of minerals and rocks, alongside similar works by other artists.
Portrait drawing
This was one of my first attempts at portrait drawing, during the art classes I attended. I was fascinated by the use of charcoal and the way light and shadow interact to create depth and expression.
Creation of a flower
Creation of a flower during a self-hardening clay class.
I must admit, it was a time-consuming process that required patience and precision.
However, through it I discovered this flexible material and was truly captivated by its potential.
You can create a wide range of works—each completely different from the other—using just this one medium.
handmade notebooks
The idea behind the FORME network is to preserve tradition while giving it a contemporary expression.
Our aim is also to showcase the richness of ancient Greek culture—through ancient symbols, the timeless works of our ancestors, and modern emblems of Greece.
In this spirit, we created a series of handmade notebooks and more, with contributions from myself and other craftswomen.
These are some representative pieces from my own work.