Marta Armada
Ceramicist
Vigo, Spain
Recommended by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts
Painted ceramic mementos of time and place
- Marta considers herself a ceramic sculptor-jeweller
- She studied at several art schools, including at Moncloa in Madrid and La Bisbal in Girona
- Artistic residencies have allowed her to travel
Marta Armada describes her work as a snapshot of places, moments and situations. Her mentor was Miguel Vázquez, in the Galician city of Vigo, where she was born and raised. Her work reflects her personal vision and distils her life experiences. “I am inspired by everyday events, travelling, and learning about other cultures,” she says. Marta is highly skilled in using the potter’s wheel, a tool she employs to create her objects, sculptures, and jewellery pieces. Her interest in arts and crafts began at the age of 16 when she started painting and drawing. “By chance, I discovered a ceramics workshop—Fernando Paz’s workshop in Vigo. I spent a couple of years working there and then started at the Artes y Oficios school. I was fortunate to have great mentors who guided me," says Marta. She has won multiple awards and spent extended periods abroad, most notably in Taiwan and China.
INTERVIEW
I have always felt drawn to the arts, and with ceramics, I found a medium of expression where my two passions, sculpture and painting, converge. Ceramics captivated me because of the process. It is a material with endless possibilities that invites experimentation.
Vigo is central in my work: the sea and the industrial landscape have always influenced my designs. Over the past 15 years, I have had the chance to visit other continents, which have undoubtedly given my work a new character, especially Asia.
It is a great source of inspiration. Crossing borders breaks apart the frameworks learned, and creativity flows more freely. In China, the great masters come from such an ancient and deeply rooted tradition. When I return to my studio, all these experiences inevitably merge with my work. Travelling changes the way I see things and confronts me with new challenges.
The different processes involved in creating a unique piece, especially with porcelain. It is a constant challenge that I face every day. I also enjoy the alchemy and, above all, the potter’s wheel, which I consider to be a wonderfully versatile tool.
