Bela Silva

Ceramicist

©Margaux Nieto

Working without frontiers

Bela switches from sculpture to drawing with perfect mastery
Listening to her inner voice enabled her to find her unique path
When her pieces get too dark she searches for sunshine

Bela Silva’s form of expression is a fusion of fine and applied arts. Passionate about both ceramics and drawing, she was told she had to choose between them, but instead she listened to her inner voice and now works with both. After studying fine arts in Porto she continued her studies abroad, and it was her time at the Art Institute of Chicago that put her on the path to becoming the artist she is today. Her immense creativity comes from everyday life, fantasy and travelling. “But we can also travel at home,” she says. Living between Brussels and Lisbon, her creations are a barometer of her state of mind. When they become too dark Bela knows it’s time to seek out sun and warmth so as to restore colour and light to her objects.

Interview

©Frederik Vercruyssse

©Frederik Vercruyssse

How important is it to listen to yourself?: It is key! Listening to myself allowed me to find my individual style, which is not easy to label as I am a ceramicist who also loves to draw. I think it has made my work recognisable. A lady once told me her child saw one of my pieces in a book and said “that’s Bela”.
What is a well made piece to you?: As a student I was told at times that my pieces were too rough and needed to be straighter. I never agreed and kept on using the techniques I learnt freely without just following the supposedly 'right' way. It is funny to see there is now a trend for the shapes I make.
How has your work evolved over the years?: I continue drawing for textiles as well as creating decorative ceramic objects. In recent years I have also developed larger three-dimensional ceramic projects with architects as well as works for public spaces such as panels for the Sakai Cultural Centre in Japan.
Do your Portuguese roots inspire you?: Definitely the ocean and sun inspire me; they are reflected in my work even if subconsciously. When I observe the architecture of Portugal I can’t help but see that there is a lot of me there. My travels and seeing places such as the Walls of Babylon have been equally inspirational.

Bela Silva is a master artisan: she began her career in 1990 and she started teaching in 1989