Daniela Făiniş was born in Dolj in 1961. A leading figure of Romania’s contemporary pottery scene, she graduated in 1985 from the Institutul de Arte Plastice ‘Nicolae Grigorescu’ in Bucharest, where she studied under Costel Badea. Early on, she had the opportunity to share her talent, taking part in numerous national and international exhibitions mainly dedicated to her technique of predilection.
Făiniş has travelled the world, from Romania to Japan, to promote her craft. Nevertheless, she is not bound by her material: quite the contrary. Over the years, she has expanded the artistic language of ceramics by combining it with other materials, namely metal, wood, paint and graphite. Turning towards nature as the origin, source and destination of all things, Făiniş imbues her practice with a sense of universality and timelessness that invites her audience to do some soul-searching. Stylistically, the artist offers a new take on fragmentation. Pieces of pottery (that are either broken or shattered) are framed by the materials that surround them. She uses these pieces either as sculptures in themselves or merely surfaces for painting or drawing. The possibilities are endless.
Through a decorative fantastical style and approach to ceramics, Făiniş has been able to address a variety of topics, some more societal, tragic or critical than others, in a manner devoid of violence and aggression. Her work is free both in terms of technique and visual language.
Among the distinctions Făiniş has received for her craft, one can single out: the gold medal at the Triennale della Ceramica d’Arte Contemporanea (triannual ceramic art competition) of the city of Gualdo Tadino, Perugia, in 1989 and 1990; an honorary mention at the International Ceramics Festival in Mino, Japan, in 1997; first prize at the International Biennale of Ceramic Art in Aveiro, Portugal; and the Ordinul Meritul Cultural (Order of Cultural Merit) of Romania in the rank of Commander in 2004.
Făiniş lives and works in Bucharest.