Lucas Ferreira

Ceramicist

A ceramic celebration of irregularities

Lucas creates structured yet organic wall art using small fragments in porcelain
His works are exhibited in the UK and internationally
He won the Ceramic Review Newcomer to Ceramic Art London Award in 2019

Lucas Ferreira is a ceramicist who specialises in textured wall works made with handmade porcelain tiles. "I assemble the tiles in lines that follow recurring patterns but are frequently interrupted by a gap, a change of colour or a subtle shift in rhythm. I aim for the pieces to be both structured and spontaneous," Lucas says. Born in Goiânia in Brazil, he studied cinema at the London College of Communication before discovering ceramics in the early 2010s and opening his home studio. Lucas is mostly self-taught, having learned the basics of his craft from his mother, artist Valéria Nascimento, with whom he frequently collaborates. His background in cinema informs his use of sequenced compositions. "My process is a celebration of irregularities, textures and imperfections that arise from a handmade practice," Lucas explains. His artworks encourage the viewer to complete the image with their gaze.

Interview

Do you belong to a specific art movement?: I am influenced by different creative and artistic trends such as minimalism, texture, design and cinema, though I do not belong to one alone. I find inspiration in literature, nature and people, and I admire the works of Brazilian sculptor Sergio de Camargo.
How is your craft linked to your previous practice?: My craft is linked to my interest in visual storytelling, cinematography and photography. Before I discovered ceramics, I studied cinema and pursued a career in film production.
Do you want to convey a message through your work?: I want my work to complement settings rather than draw attention. I also like my pieces to be ambiguous and open to interpretation – whether through blank spaces, simple divisions, or tiles of different colours. I want viewers to have a more attentive perception, dialogue with the work and feel its presence.
Do you collaborate with other artists?: I have collaborated with Valéria Nascimento, my mother, who is also a ceramicist. Her works are inspired by exuberant Brazilian landscapes and the fusion between urban landscapes and natural forms.

Lucas Ferreira is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2013