clay Archives - Maria Alvarez Echenique

Clink St Ceramics Display “The Light Of The Past Into The Future’

Posted on 21st September 2023.
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A display of new works at Click Street Ceramics from the 23/09 until the 30/11 2023

For this particular display my main influences are Jomon culture Dogū (from prehistoric Japan) and Pre-Columbian figurines from Central and South America. These are the launching pad from which my imagination took flight, incorporating aspects of the natural world, and visions of the future.

My craft techniques include throwing and hand building, exploring the use of clay in its more primitive form, using ancient firing processes such as smoke firing to achieve specific combinations of natural colours, without the use of glazing materials.

Material qualities are intensified by the traces of the fire, utilising the elements of water, air and earth in the form of clay in all their infinite variety, producing results with earthy colours and patterns giving a unique character, form and beauty to the pieces.

More info about a celebratory event to mark the beginning of the display will follow soon!

Gredos Ceramic Adventure, Spain

Posted on 19th September 2023.
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An amazing week with my London students in Madrigal de la Vera in Avelino’s and Angie’s ceramic studio. Intense throwing, swimming in rock pools, walking and eating fantastic Spanish food, we all had an incredible experience!

‘The Wild Collective’ Exhibition at Omved Gardens from 13th-29th May 2022

Posted on 23rd May 2022.
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Really excited to be exhibiting with throwncontemporary for the exhibition The Wild Collective.

Curated for the Chelsea Fringe 2022, the exhibition runs from 13th – 29th May 2022 in the glasshouse and gardens of OmVed Gardens, Highgate.

The exhibition website will also host the exhibition with the full version going live on Friday 13th May at midday with all of the work available to purchase at the same time.

Nature and the environment are constant influences on my work. My inspiration for this outdoor installation comes from the beautiful, fierce and fascinating natural environments around us.

“Cosmic Circles” presents the circle as a form found in nature and explore the textures formed by it; We find circles in so many flowers, seeds, plants, the rings in a tree’s growth which sometimes are shaped by the weather, the wind, the waves, the passage of time, or the touch of animals, including humans. The rhythms of the circle also hold close associations with the cycles life and often have cosmological imagery.

Join us everyday except Mondays at OmVed Gardens for the exhibition. Find out more about visiting information.

Raku Day at Triangle Studio Courtyard

Posted on 18th October 2021.
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Working on a new serie of Dogu exploring the Raku technique!

Brilliant results, it was a great fun to fire the Raku kiln in the studio courtyard with Su and Alex!

Avebury Sculpture Exhibition 2021

Posted on 18th October 2021.
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My homage to Avebury Sculpture exhibition this year explores the Neolithic landscape of Wiltshire by using the imagery of the stones and the circles themselves, combined with designs influenced by other prehistoric survivals, both natural and manmade, such as the Uffington white horse.

The pieces are made from a selection of different clays, which are emphasises by the absence of glazes. The inspiration of prehistoric pottery and cave paintings is revealed through finely drawn lines, as if partly obscured by the passage of time.