Let it flow
- Juan Camilo has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science
- Mirron, his ceramic studio, opened in 2020 just before the pandemic
- He is interested in residency experiences both locally and abroad
Juan Camilo Montenegro discovered ceramics while he was studying political science in Bogotá with a minor in Arts at Los Andes University. He found solace and fun in clay as he struggled to complete his major studies. Ceramics became his hobby for a couple of years while he worked for a firm. In early 2020, he decided to take a leap of faith and rented a big atelier, attracted by the light-filled space. Having no money for such a venture, Juan Camilo decided to give classes and started to teach his craft. “It all started to flow from then on and I was able to pay for my studio and have a lot of work, even during the Covid pandemic.” With great passion and faith Juan Camilo has followed his conviction to let things run their course. His work is a constant reflection of this.
Interview
- How do career and hobby merge in your experience as an artisan?
- Political science has helped me develop a social and critical perspective on my craft. I limit myself in the employment of traditional techniques where there can be cultural misappropriation and prefer to explore with simple techniques. My work has always meant to be politically correct.
- How do you define yourself as a ceramicist?
- I am exploring my own identity based on universal techniques redefined by experiences rooted in my territory. I have now migrated from the geometrical to the amorphous. I found curves and imperfections through trial and error and learned to intentionally create creases, wrinkles and collapsed artifacts.
- What are the main themes in your work?
- Abstraction, which is about finding geometry, logic and simplicity in the organic that surrounds me. Flow, which is when I try to portray the river. I am currently exploring vitro fusion. Territory is about using enamels originating from local clays and their oxidation to create cream, platinum, terracotta and sand textures.
- What would you tell others who wish to be ceramicists like yourself?
- Listen to your intuitive sixth sense, follow your passion and give yourself licence to explore and experiment. I would encourage the experience of knowledge exchange residencies to complement the basic techniques learned in workshop courses.
Juan Camilo Montenegro is a rising star: he began his career in 2018 and he started teaching in 2020
Where
Juan Camilo Montenegro
