Ruggero: from Milan to Arezzo, from Castello Sforzesco’s frescos to Tuscan ceramics
Builder’s labourer and civil engineer
Son of a builder, Ruggero began working on building sites at a very early age as a means of contributing to the family finances and developing a dexterity that would later become the hallmark of his artistic career.
Frescos in the basement of a Milanese fortress
On leaving art school, Ruggero signed up for a course in "fresco" wall decorations organised by the School of Applied Arts in the basement of Castello Sforzesco. Founded by Galeazzo Il Visconti, the Castle is one of Milan’s most sumptuous works of art. It was rebuilt by the Sforza family in the 15th century, when Ludovico il Moro was able to commission some of the most prestigious artists for its decoration, not least Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci, the latter describing himself first as a civil engineer and then as a painter and sculptor, in that order.
After completing this course, Ruggero pursued his efforts to discover his true creative dimension by embarking on a further course in graphic arts at the Rizzoli Institute in Milan.
Encounter with the world of porcelain
At 27, Ruggero decided to apply for a job in a porcelain manufacturer looking for someone to join its team. The techniques used by this company to produce porcelain were extremely varied: slip casting, third-firing, brushwork, decals.
Ruggero, from Milan to Tuscany for complete freedom of expression
Ruggero's free and artistic spirit came into its own when he moved to Tuscany for personal reasons in 2007.
It was in Arezzo that he first set up as an independent trader. Since then, he has specialised in working with stoneware as a noble and unique material, creating tableware for top Italian restaurants and chefs and expressing himself in a broad variety of creative forms.
For Maison Gala, he has created the Chef, Lipari, Circe and Galatea collections, as well as custom-made plates for chefs, in a wide range of shapes and sizes that combine creativity with a deep awareness of the environment and its needs.
creativity with a deep awareness of the environment
Ruggero ensures that all the items he creates are certified for use with food according to the strictest European standards.
He recycles all the materials used for his creations.
The clay left over from making a 'biscuit' is reworked and reused.
As he says himself: "Everything that is neither soluble nor sedimentary can be recycled, including glazes.
A fine example of art and sustainability, both values close to Maison Gala’s heart.
Stay safe!
Latest additions to the Maison Gala catalogue
No products were found!
