Miguel Ángel Torres Ferreras

Tradition in his DNA

• Miguel Ángel has practised wheel-throwing since childhood
• His family workshop produces functional and aesthetic pieces for everyday use
• He was recognised as a Master Artisan by the Junta de Andalucía in 2014 and honoured with the Andalusian Artisan Award in 2020

Miguel Ángel Torres Ferreras entered the world of pottery at 11, learning the craft from skilled artisans in the workshops of his hometown, La Rambla, in Cordoba, Spain. A year later, he and his family moved to Barcelona, where they lived for 12 years. When he returned to La Rambla at 24, his childhood fascination with the potter's wheel came to fruition, and he decided to dedicate himself to this craft professionally. Miguel Ángel began as an apprentice and later became a skilled artisan in various local workshops, before setting up an atelier with three partners in 1990. Almost a decade passed before he, along with his family, ventured out on their own under the Torres Ferreras name. Today, he continues to leave his mark with the traditional crockery he learned to make as a child, a testament to the enduring appeal of craftsmanship and the pursuit of a lifetime passion. In 2024, Miguel Ángel and his family workshop received the National Crafts Award from the Ministry of Industry of Spain, an honour that recognises their dedication to quality, innovation and the preservation of traditional know-how.

Interview

©Evaristo Diaz

©Evaristo Diaz

How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?

We only work with the potter's wheel and other decorative techniques passed down to us from generation to generation. Our innovation lies in the fact that we have introduced stoneware in La Rambla ceramics, as it is a material that provides greater hardness and quality and less toxicity to our crockery.

How would you define the work you do?

We define our work as pure and plain craftsmanship. We use ancestral techniques to produce simple, functional and beautiful pieces for everyday use in medium quantities. Our creative potential allows us to design tailor-made pieces. People often distinguished us by our taste for fine, clean and elegant finishes.

Can you tell us about a memorable moment in your professional life?

The opportunity to dedicate ourselves daily to such a beautiful craft is a pleasant and memorable experience in itself. One of the most significant moments in my career was being selected to represent our country in an international exhibition. I would also highlight my recognition as a Master Artisan by the Junta de Andalucía in 2014 and receiving the Andalusian Crafts Award in 2020.

Could your craft be considered endangered?

I believe that there are excellent job opportunities in the world of pottery. The only danger comes from the lack of promotion and the need for generational replacement. However, I remain convinced of the future potential of handmade ceramics.

Miguel Ángel Torres Ferreras is a master artisan: he began his career in 1985 and he started teaching in 1990

Works

©Evaristo Diaz

©Evaristo Diaz

©Evaristo Diaz

©Evaristo Diaz

Where