Malles. Shaping stories.
Opening cocktail:
June 11, 2025
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Opening hours:
June 12 - June 15, 2025
Fondazione Officine Saffi
via Niccolini 35a, Milan
11 am - 6:30 pm
free entry
works available for purchase
June 11, 2025
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Opening hours:
June 12 - June 15, 2025
Fondazione Officine Saffi
via Niccolini 35a, Milan
11 am - 6:30 pm
free entry
works available for purchase
From June 12 to 15, 2025, Fondazione Officine Saffi is proud to present Malles. Shaping Stories, an exhibition and sale of ceramics created by women artisans from Sejnane, Tunisia.
Organized in collaboration with Malles Design Mediterraneo association, the exhibition features a curated selection of handmade ceramic pieces from the village of Sejnane, in northern Tunisia, where the women’s community is at the heart of a craft tradition recognized in 2018 by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
A tradition passed down from mother to daughter over generations, the ceramics of Sejnane are shaped entirely by hand using clay sourced from the dry riverbeds of seasonal wadis. The pieces—whether functional, decorative, or playful—are deeply rooted in daily life and inspired by the natural world. After being processed and shaped, the clay is fired outdoors using a stack of wood and dried dung. Some pieces are left in their natural color, while others are fired again under straw to achieve a distinctive black tone with a metallic sheen.“The objects seem - says Vittoria Capresi, founder of Malles Shaping Stories - to reconnect us with a nearly forgotten, buried part of our aesthetic pleasure. In interviews with the artisans, I wanted to explore the act of creating—their stories and narratives accompany the objects, which in turn reflect the voice of their creators.”
In Tunisian Arabic, the word Malles means the act of shaping an idea through modeling clay. In Sejnane, this age-old ceramic tradition continues to reflect the expressive power of clay, acting as a force that generates cultural and economic value and, above all, continually renews the bond between community and the territory. As Kauther Sfar, gender consultant based in Tunis, explains: “In Sejnane, shaping clay is also about shaping power—the power to share knowledge, to express oneself, and to forge connections. Every piece reflects the identity of its maker, a woman who plays a vital role in both local tradition and the evolving economy. Through their craft, these artisans become true agents of change.”
The works on display are available for purchase, with prices ranging from €50 to €200. They were purchased in Sejnane at a fair price set by the women who created them. The Malles Shaping Stories project aims to stimulate local demand and production in Sejnane within a fair market context that values local needs. Upon purchase, each piece is accompanied by an information card telling the story of the woman who made it.
In the words of Laura Borghi, President of Fondazione Officine Saffi:“This project represents an extraordinary opportunity to tell many stories—not only those of each of the women at the heart of this culturally rich ecosystem, but also the story of a local craft tradition rooted in clay and its ability to engage with the contemporary world.”
IN COLLABORATION WITH:
Malles Shaping Stories
WINE PARTNER:
Ruffino
Organized in collaboration with Malles Design Mediterraneo association, the exhibition features a curated selection of handmade ceramic pieces from the village of Sejnane, in northern Tunisia, where the women’s community is at the heart of a craft tradition recognized in 2018 by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
A tradition passed down from mother to daughter over generations, the ceramics of Sejnane are shaped entirely by hand using clay sourced from the dry riverbeds of seasonal wadis. The pieces—whether functional, decorative, or playful—are deeply rooted in daily life and inspired by the natural world. After being processed and shaped, the clay is fired outdoors using a stack of wood and dried dung. Some pieces are left in their natural color, while others are fired again under straw to achieve a distinctive black tone with a metallic sheen.“The objects seem - says Vittoria Capresi, founder of Malles Shaping Stories - to reconnect us with a nearly forgotten, buried part of our aesthetic pleasure. In interviews with the artisans, I wanted to explore the act of creating—their stories and narratives accompany the objects, which in turn reflect the voice of their creators.”
In Tunisian Arabic, the word Malles means the act of shaping an idea through modeling clay. In Sejnane, this age-old ceramic tradition continues to reflect the expressive power of clay, acting as a force that generates cultural and economic value and, above all, continually renews the bond between community and the territory. As Kauther Sfar, gender consultant based in Tunis, explains: “In Sejnane, shaping clay is also about shaping power—the power to share knowledge, to express oneself, and to forge connections. Every piece reflects the identity of its maker, a woman who plays a vital role in both local tradition and the evolving economy. Through their craft, these artisans become true agents of change.”
The works on display are available for purchase, with prices ranging from €50 to €200. They were purchased in Sejnane at a fair price set by the women who created them. The Malles Shaping Stories project aims to stimulate local demand and production in Sejnane within a fair market context that values local needs. Upon purchase, each piece is accompanied by an information card telling the story of the woman who made it.
In the words of Laura Borghi, President of Fondazione Officine Saffi:“This project represents an extraordinary opportunity to tell many stories—not only those of each of the women at the heart of this culturally rich ecosystem, but also the story of a local craft tradition rooted in clay and its ability to engage with the contemporary world.”
IN COLLABORATION WITH:
Malles Shaping Stories
WINE PARTNER:
Ruffino