Incollect Magazine - Issue 14

Incollect Magazine 63 : Cristina Salusti, White Shell Centerpiece, United States, 2025. Clay, stone fragments. This juxtaposition of raw, earthy exterior and refined, iridescent interior invites both visual intrigue and tactile exploration. Cristina Salusti, Large Volcanic Round Vessel with Gold, United States, 2018. Clay, stone fragments, 22k gold. Cristina Salusti, Long Vessel Centerpiece with Gold and Platinum, United States, 2022. Clay, stone fragments, 22k gold and platinum. Cristina Salusti Valerie Goodman Gallery Valerie Goodman first met Salusti at her studio inWoodstock, Vermont, in 2012. “I immediately loved what she was doing and purchased some pieces,” she says. What impressed her most about the work was “a contrast between the dark, volcanic exterior and the glowing gold-glazed interiors. This interplay gives her pieces a quiet, yet powerful, almost spiritual presence.” In 2014, Goodman presented an exhibition of Salusti’s ceramics at her gallery. “The natural world is my primary source of inspiration, both in form and texture,” the artist has stated. “Within that framework, my choice of color and glazing determines the final personality of each piece.” Salusti is constantly experimenting with new techniques and ideas. Recently, she developed a series of popular white-glazed works for the gallery. “Unlike the gold or colored glazes that often draw the viewer’s attention inward toward the luminous interior, the achromatic white pieces emphasize the overall form,” Goodman says. “They possess a calm, neutral presence that works beautifully in quieter, more restrained interiors.” Buyers of her ceramics include interior designers Victoria Hagan, Kelly Behun, Bespoke Interior Design, Soucie Horner, Pembrooke & Ives, Nicole Hollis, and Semel-Snow, among others. Photos: Karine Kohlberg