Brutally free to create
- María studied graphic design in Argentina and learned ceramics in Ibiza
- Her work is strongly influenced by modernist architecture and design
- She creates bespoke dinnerware collections for reputed restaurants in Ibiza
Playful spontaneity and structure harmoniously combine in María Sejas’ work. “It represents the varied facets of my personality,” she says, noting this juxtaposition as her distinctive trait. María, a graphic designer, left her native Argentina in 1993 with her partner, photographer and surfer, Daniel Balda, to “ride the wave” from Costa Rica to Hawaii and Miami, before settling in Ibiza, where they have lived for 20 years. María discovered the nurturing qualities of ceramics in 2018 when she was encouraged by a friend to take a course. Since then, it has become her medium for creating ambience and warmth in home spaces. Her functional dinnerware has the heavy, straight-edged influence of brutalist architecture supported by the Japanese kuri nuki technique, while her decorative pieces are inspired by natural, organic forms.
Interview
- How does the spirit of adventure manifest in your work?
- I consider myself very eclectic, intuitive and spontaneous, which allows me to have a free-flow of ideas. I create worlds and identity through interior decoration and branding, both as a ceramicist and as a graphic designer.
- In what ways does your creative process for ceramics differ from that of graphic design?
- Timing, process, and finishes differ greatly between the two. Ceramics have taught me patience, helping me slow down and let go of control. My graphic design is vibrant and colourful, while my ceramics are minimalist and imperfect, often in neutral tones. I merge both by repurposing “failed” stoneware pieces and illustrating on them to give new life to the pieces.
- How do architecture, nature and family influence your craft?
- I grew up surrounded by my father’s compasses and Rotring pens, tools from his work as a self-taught blacksmith. Creativity and design have been part of my life ever since. I draw structural inspiration from retro-futurism, brutalism, and Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, while my organic style is influenced by natural forms, especially mushrooms.
- What is so fascinating about mushrooms for you?
- I loved elves and their dwellings when I was little. I have always found the fairy world magical, and I do even more so, now that I know the importance of fungi’s intricate connections and adaptability in forest environments. I use these forms for lamp bases and for vases.
María Sejas is a rising star: she began her career in 2020
Works
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María Sejas
