Tanya Gomez
Ceramicist
Lewes, United Kingdom
Extremes and calmness
- Tanya feels her work is a lifelong investigation
- She is inspired by time spent on boats and yachts
- Her signature vessels impress with their colours
As a very young women Tanya Gomez lived in the most beautiful countries and travelled the world. Working on boats, she was able to change continents easily. “Whenever I travelled, I always made sure I had a lovely personal space, even in the smallest bunk. I was a very hands-on person in this regard." Aged 24, she decided to gain a skill, and instinctively she knew it needed to involve designing in 3D. Her studies began with a BTEC in Art and Design and an evening course with a ceramicist, followed by a Bachelor's degree in 3D Design at the University of Brighton, and a Master's degree in ceramics and glass at the Royal College of Art. Tanya is known for her large cylindrical porcelain vessels, which she throws, cuts, and mounts in a very dynamic manner and then glazes with brightly colored glazes. Despite the simplicity of her signature vessels as individuals, when seen together, they form complex patterns of colour and shape.
INTERVIEW
My most significant inspirations are associated with my boating and yachting experiences. Being on a boat in the middle of an ocean gives me a feeling of extreme and calm at the same time. I also believe that I subconsciously kept colour references from my travels for my glazes.
I often experiment with shades until I achieve the exact colour I want. My goal is to achieve both high luminescence and depth. The way that different surfaces and glazes can refract light is something that fascinates me. By combining commercial stains with a celadon glaze, I can create vibrant colours.
A component that plays a substantial role in the work I do and which I also teach to all my students, is that a well made object is one that has been taken into account from all perspectives. Above and below, on the inside as well as outside. Surely, every perspective should be treated with the greatest care.
At this point in my career, I no longer have to reinvent the wheel. My work is a result of many experiments in colour, glazes, and shape and it is also the product of a long thought processes. I'm engaged in a lifelong investigation, I never stop exploring, experimenting, sharing knowledge, and diving deeper into detail.
