Ceramics inspired by brutalism and hyperpop
- Chaos and surprise are at the core of Iara’s artistic expression
- She frequently uses special effects glazes
- Her Brazilian roots influence her exploration of contrasts
Iara Talledo Violani graduated from the University of Brighton with a BA (Hons) in 3D Design and Craft in 2023, with a specialisation in ceramic throwing. After finishing her studies, she worked at The Kiln Rooms. “I know very well how to throw my pieces, then I purposefully ruin them in a unique way to convey my many thoughts and feelings,” Iara says. She sees ceramic art as an attempt at putting a bit of colour and joy into the world. "This is why I make my objects vivid and vibrant," she explains. Special effect glazes and unique shapes come together to make an impression. One of Iara’s artistic trademarks is the piling-up of individually-thrown pieces and the deconstruction of fully finished objects to create sculptures suggesting chaos and collision.
Discover her work
INTERVIEW
At university, we were required to pick two materials to work with for our project. Between ceramics, metal, wood and polymers, I chose ceramics and wood. Something about clay’s malleability, and unfamiliarity at the time, was attractive to me.
My current work is not linked to where I live, but to where my mother is from. The SESC Pompeia building in São Paulo, Brazil, is what first sparked the idea of working with chaos as an element in the ceramic process.
Despite being a geometric, brutalist building, SESC Pompeia has organically shaped windows. That touch of chaos and unpredictability in an otherwise predictable process was my foundation for this project. The vibrant and textural sounds of hyperpop were also part of my inspiration.
I feel really honored whenever a child is interested in or compliments my work. They are brutally honest. As a child, I did not particularly care to engage with other people’s art, as I was more concerned with creating my own. So I am happy when I am able to capture their attention with my work today.
