Finding Beauty in Imperfection: A Conversation with Ceramic Artist Lucas Ferreira

There’s a certain magic to working with clay. It’s a raw, unpredictable medium that demands both patience and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. For ceramic artist Lucas Ferreira, this inherent beauty in imperfection lies at the heart of his captivating work.

We sat down with Lucas, winner of the Ceramic Review Newcomer to Ceramic Art London Award in 2019, to delve into his artistic journey, inspirations, and unique approach to transforming simple forms into intricate, textured masterpieces.

From Filmmaker to Ceramic Artist: An Unconventional Path

Lucas’s path to ceramics wasn’t linear. His early years were filled with dreams of filmmaking, a passion he pursued through university, studying film production. While he still holds a deep appreciation for the craft, it was the allure of clay that ultimately captivated his creative spirit.

“Ceramics wasn’t on my radar back then,” Lucas recounts, reminiscing about his childhood in Rio de Janeiro. “I was a daydreaming, introverted child with a fondness for drawing.” It was years later, after moving to London with his family, that he reconnected with clay, guided by his mother, Valeria Nascimento, a renowned porcelain installation artist.

Embracing Irregularities: The Art of Texture and Form

Lucas’s work is instantly recognizable for its captivating interplay of texture and form. He begins with simple shapes, meticulously cutting them into a grid-like pattern, creating dozens, sometimes hundreds, of individual tiles. Each tile bears the unique mark of the artist’s hand, resulting in subtle variations that, when assembled, form mesmerizing textured surfaces.

“My work is a celebration of irregularities,” Lucas explains. “Each tile is unique from my own imperfect touch, and that creates imperceptible variations, which reveal themselves later as textured surfaces when mounted together.”

This meticulous process transforms the act of assembly into a dance of textures. Lucas masterfully manipulates the rhythm and aesthetic of each piece, allowing intuition and spontaneity to guide his creative decisions.

Beyond the Surface: Inspiration and Artistic Influences

While the tactile nature of Lucas’s work is immediately striking, his pieces delve far deeper than surface beauty. Inspired by a diverse range of sources – from art and music to film, literature, and the natural world – his work invites viewers to forge their own interpretations and connect with the emotions evoked by each piece.

“I like to create a relationship between the artwork and its viewer,” Lucas shares. “Since I studied film originally, I like to construct visually rich images that tell a story. I believe that a thematic image, no matter how minimalist, can be powerful in situating the viewer yet allowing them to produce their own interpretation by feeling the work’s presence.”

The influence of Brazilian sculptor Sérgio de Camargo, known for his exploration of geometric forms and the interplay of light and shadow, is also evident in Lucas’s work. This shared fascination with the power of repetition and the subtle nuances within seemingly simple forms creates a captivating dialogue between the two artists across generations.

A Constant Evolution: Exploring New Forms and Expressions

Since winning the Ceramic Review Newcomer to CAL 2019 Award, Lucas has continued to push the boundaries of his craft, experimenting with new materials and techniques. He’s transitioned from primarily using paperclay in white or black stoneware to incorporating vibrant colors into his palette, mixing powdered pigments directly into the clay body.

“As I have become more proficient, I have been slowly adding more color to my repertoire by mixing powdered pigment in the paperclay body,” Lucas explains. “Sometimes I also apply copper or cobalt oxide on my tiles for striking details in certain places. All my work is now unglazed porcelain and I fire at 1250°C.”

Looking towards the future, Lucas is eager to embrace new challenges, envisioning larger-scale pieces and exploring different forms, such as vessels, while staying true to his signature textured aesthetic. This constant evolution and unwavering passion for pushing the boundaries of his craft ensure that Lucas Ferreira will remain a captivating force in the world of contemporary ceramics.

Resources for Ceramic Enthusiasts:

• The American Ceramic Society: Explore a vast resource for ceramic artists, from technical information to exhibition opportunities.
• Studio Potter: Discover a community-driven platform celebrating the art and craft of studio pottery, featuring artist profiles, articles, and more.
• Council for Education in the Ceramic Arts (CECArts): Connect with a global network of ceramic artists and educators, access workshops, and stay updated on industry events.