Sculptural ceramics to express Azorean culture
- Marina studied ceramics in Lisbon but developed her creative style when she moved back to the Azores
- She draws inspiration from the ocean and the archipelago's old legends
- Her sculptural pieces and way of using clay reflect the Azorean tradition and culture
Marina Mendonça studied ceramics at AR.CO – Centre for Art and Visual Communication, where she was taught by Portuguese ceramicists. She also learned her craft from international masters from universities in Massachusetts, the School of Art Institute of Chicago, and the School of decorative arts in Switzerland. Once Marina had acquired the technical skills, she set off to find her style. “I worked in Lisbon with colleagues but only found my path when I moved back to the Azores and set up my workshop in an old family home, surrounded by pastures on the sea front.” Her moulds and glazes give life to pieces summoning imaginary oceanic legends. Using mostly local clay and traditional roller and potter's wheel techniques, Marina undertakes creative collaborations with local artisans, and thus contributes to the dynamism of Azorean craft.
Interview
- How important was it to learn from masters?
- It was key. Learning from masters and a school gave me the solid technical skills to evolve further. I am grateful to have learnt with ceramicists from Portugal as we share culture and references, but also from foreign ceramicists with different approaches.
- Why did you decide to come back to the Azores?
- I lived many years in Lisbon and shared a workshop with colleagues from school, but when thinking about the next steps for me, I decided to go back home to the Azores and work there on my own. I missed the ocean, the nature and the way of life in the archipelago.
- In which way is your work connected to your territory?
- In multiple ways. I use local clay and other materials from the archipelago. I also make my own glazes from inert materials found around the island. In terms of inspiration, I also get it from the ocean, its stories, legends and the Azorean culture.
- What motivates you daily to make your sculptural pieces?
- To continuously explore materials. I am always excited to see the three-dimensional result of a piece I first drew on paper. Collaborating with other local artisans from other crafts such as basketry is motivating as we share and learn a lot from each other.
Marina Mendonça is a master artisan: she began her career in 1993 and she started teaching in 1996
Works
Where
Marina Mendonça
