It all began with a move. Two years ago, Carolin Ehret left Munich behind and settled in Athens with her family. What awaited her wasn’t just a change of scenery, but a creative reawakening. “Athens is all about ceramics,” she tells us, “so it was incredibly easy to find a studio to work and learn in.”
And she did — in the heart of Kypseli, a vibrant, slightly unruly neighbourhood full of emerging energy and artistic spirit. That’s where she met ceramicist Nefeli Santaki, whose studio became not only a space for creation, but also the birthplace of Meltemi Art, a collaboration that breathes new life into ceramic mural reliefs. “Together, we developed something quite special — unique in colour and painting, yet functional too. We designed a plexiglass system that makes our pieces easy to hang.”
If you’ve encountered Meltemi Art, you’ll likely recognise a recurring motif: the palm tree. “I studied graphic design and fine arts,” Carolin explains, “and nature has always been at the heart of my work. I love green — in all its tones — and I love palm trees, agaves, banana leaves… anything that evokes the South, warmth, a daydream. Our first relief was the palm, and it’s still our signature.”
But her work is never static. “I love when our pieces hang alone, giving them space to speak for themselves. But equally, I enjoy creating a kind of modern Petersburg hanging — mixing ceramics with illustration, photography, painting. If the colours work together, even better. The themes don’t need to match; the contrast creates energy.”
Carolin draws colour inspiration from fashion, interiors, and her intuitive understanding of balance. “For me, the clay is a canvas. I translate my painting style into layers of glaze and texture. Every piece is different, especially since the glaze changes in the kiln — that’s part of the beauty. It’s what makes each piece one of a kind.”
And life in Athens? It’s rhythmic, spontaneous, and endlessly layered. “My day begins with the school run — and trying not to get into an accident,” she laughs. Then come a few moments of sport at a favourite club, coffee with a friend, and long hours at the studio. “In the afternoons I might stop by a gallery, head to the beach, or stay home and keep working. In Athens, the night starts late. We often eat out in Kolonaki or Monastiraki. And in summer, I escape to Vouliagmeni for a swim.”
There is, of course, the Acropolis — timeless and untouchable — but it’s the details that define her love for the city. “The smell of orange blossoms in spring, the cracked pavements, the constant surprise of what’s around the next corner. Athens is a contradiction — imperfect and poetic, but full of hospitality, gastronomy, festivals, and art. It never sleeps and never ceases to inspire.”
See more of her work at Meltemi Art,