Rainforest light meets London clay
- Victoria's objects balance functionality with sculptural storytelling
- She allows only meaningful creations to be fired
- She adorns her ceramic pieces with colourful woven textile interventions
Victoria Loyola’s upbringing in Costa Rica shapes her ceramic pieces, from the sculptural lamps to everyday tableware. She earned her fine arts degree at the University of Costa Rica, before moving to London for her master’s at the Royal College of Art. “I want my objects to carry stories,” she explains. "Clay allows me to translate memories, colours and textures into tangible forms." From her London studio, Victoria blends traditional techniques with contemporary experimentation, working with materials and methods that are not accessible in Costa Rica. Each piece she makes brings the energy and joy of Latin American life into interiors, and offers an engaging experience that celebrates heritage, craftsmanship and cultural storytelling.
Interview
- When did you open your own workshop?
- My mum was getting tired of my pieces being everywhere, so I started selling them at affordable prices just to keep making more. This led to commissions and markets, which eventually allowed me to open my first workshop in my parents’ garden in 2021.
- Do you remember your very first ceramic piece?
- As a child, I made a tiny jar with Minnie Mouse ears. I approached it playfully even then. It was far from perfect but seeing it come alive in the kiln felt absolutely magical.
- How do London and Costa Rica influence your work?
- London has sharpened my awareness of what defines my work and reinforced why my heritage matters. Working with whiter clay and technical resources that are unavailable in Costa Rica allows for vivid colours and larger-scale pieces. The city also offers opportunities to present my work in internationally recognised exhibitions and meet other artisans.
- Do you have advice for beginner ceramicists?
- Avoid getting attached to everything you create, especially when throwing. Focus on growth and technique, not on collecting every piece. Firing has an environmental footprint, so be intentional. Keep practising and make each piece matter.
Victoria Loyola is a rising star: she began her career in 2021 and she started teaching in 2022
Where
Victoria Loyola
