Arturo Mora Benavent

Lustreware elegance

• Arturo specialises in Manises medieval lustreware
• He is the only one practising this technique in his region
• He graduated at the Manises School of Ceramics with special honours

Arturo Mora Benavent was born in 1970 in Manises, a Mediterranean suburb around Valencia. He descends from an ancient family of artisans, discovered his ancestors' craft at an early age and made it a vital part of his life. Arturo learned the secrets of 15th-century Manises lustreware from his father, Salvador Mora Escobar, and the artisans who worked in his workshop. He opened his own workshop in 1999, after completing his studies. Arturo is dedicated to researching, perfecting and preserving this technique, focusing on the reproduction of 15th-century Manises lustre ceramics and the use of metallic lustre to innovate with new offerings. Today he is one of few masters in lustre ceramics in the world who are still actively working.

Interview

©Michelangelo Foundation

©PILAR ALBELDA

How would you define the work you do?

I have directed my work towards recovering metallic lustreware, a technique that reached its peak during the 15th century, coinciding with the cultural and economic boom of the city of Valencia. We have preserved this tradition of more than 800 years.

What do you consider to be your primary skills?

The most notable ceramic technique I use is metallic reflection which I use to make reproductions of historical pieces that craftspeople made in the Manises workshops from the 15th to the 18th century. Today, these pieces are in the most important museums in the world.

What are your sources of inspiration?

My primary source of inspiration is Manises ceramics from the 15th century. They are ceramics of great originality, which captivated the European courts for the magnificence of their decorations.

How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?

I try to reproduce as faithfully as possible the historical pieces made by the Manises artisans from the 15th to 18th centuries. At the same time, I make updates to their creations. All my pieces are made on the potter's wheel and then painted freehand and fired a third time, just as Hispano-Muslim golden earthenware is made.

Arturo Mora Benavent is a master artisan: he began his career in 1988 and he started teaching in 1999

Works

©Monica Romero

©Monica Romero

©Monica Romero

©Monica Romero

©Monica Romero

Where