Carmen Muñoz & Gabriela Aritio

Ceramicist

©Fotogenias

©Benjamín Alcazar

Mother and daughter duo

Carmen and Gabriela make hand painted tableware, glassware, lamps and sculptures
They are inspired by art, fashion and nature from different countries
They have a school where they teach different ceramics courses

Carmen Muñoz trained in hand painting porcelain for two years in Tokyo. Gabriela Aritio studied law and worked in advertising for five years until she learned this ancient technique from Carmen and discovered how to craft crockery in Mexico. Together, helping each other, this creative mother and daughter duo continued to improve their skills until 2006 when they opened Carmen Muñoz Hand Painted, their ceramics workshop, shop and school in Madrid. Today, they make and hand paint tableware, glassware, lamps and sculptures in porcelain, stoneware, earthenware and glass for people who enjoy the value of handmade things, a well-laid table or a charmingly decorated home. Each one of their pieces requires hours of design, craftsmanship and painting. Customers can buy ready-made tableware or order exclusive pieces tailored to their needs from the shop.

Interview

©Fotogenias

©Karen Karacheo

What is your training?: Carmen: In 1989 I went to Tokyo to train for two years in the classical technique of porcelain painting. After that I continued to learn by myself. I taught Gabriela the technique of ceramic painting. Ten years later, she discovered the world of ceramics in Mexico.
How would you define your craft?: Gabriela: You can appreciate a careful and detailed technique in our work. We have a classic style adapted with great delicacy and originality to our times. We mix elements from the different countries where we have lived. Our ceramic pieces seek to move away from the conventional and bring a natural touch to the tables or houses they decorate.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: Carmen: Tradition can be appreciated in the techniques used to make our pieces while innovation in their design. Spain is a country with a long pottery tradition. Here, in our workshop in Madrid, we continue to learn and keep this ancient practice alive.
What would you advise an aspiring ceramicist?: We advise young artisans who are just starting their crafts to keep up to date and never stop researching. Working with ceramics is a job that requires a great deal of dedication, but it also brings many joys.

Carmen Muñoz & Gabriela Aritio are master artisans: they began their career in 1989 and they started teaching in 1993