José Ángel Ruiz González & Lola Díaz Rodríguez

Fine arts ceramics from a family hub

• Lola and José Ángel made ceramics their family occupation
• Their creations combine innovative and traditional techniques
• They are inspired by different Mediterranean cultures

Lola Díaz Rodríguez and José Ángel Ruiz González are the artisans behind Alfajar, a shop and atelier dedicated to ceramics in Malaga. Today they run the workshop with their two daughters, Diana and Paula, too. Influenced by diverse Mediterranean cultures, they combine traditional techniques with innovative approaches to create handmade ceramic pieces of geometric forms, simplified shapes and a timeless allure. Their journey into ceramics began in the mid-1970s when José Ángel, a fine arts student from Orense, and Lola, an aspiring Sevillian artist studying arts and crafts, crossed paths in Seville. Together they honed their skills through extensive courses, workshops, and seminars in Spain, and other parts of the world, as well as through travels and cultural experiences. These diverse influences shaped their distinct style and, in 1992, led them to found their workshop, Alfajar.

Interview

©Sylvi_Schaffrath

©Sylvi Schaffrath

What influences have been key in your learning of ceramics?

Lola: We attended courses all over the world to learn the basics of ceramics. The workshops with my friend Norik, a Japanese ceramicist, were memorable. Visiting ateliers of contemporary ceramicists and museums of ceramic art in Japan had a great influence on my work. José Ángel: I studied at the Escuela Superior de Bellas Artes Santa Isabel de Hungría in Seville. Courses in Faenza, Italy, and various seminars in Galicia and Andalusia were crucial in shaping my approach to ceramics.

How did you come to this craft?

José Ángel: All my life I have combined education and the development of my personal work. Given Lola's closeness to the craft, in the end ceramics became our project in common.

How is your craft linked to the place where you live?

Andalusia is a land of art and craftsmanship. It has always been characterised by the creativity of its makers. From our workshop and shop we try to promote all this Andalusian talent.

How would you define the artistic or artisanal work you do?

We are a family business that combines tradition and modernity, always innovating with our creations and nourishing ourselves with new concepts that enrich our journey. All the resulting pieces are unique, treated one by one with a coherence of style that makes our pieces recognisable.

José Ángel Ruiz González & Lola Díaz Rodríguez are master artisans: they began their career in 1980 and they started teaching in 1992

Works

©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos

©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos

©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos

©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos

©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos

Where