Ceramics

and production
techniques

(VSAR 2076)

Research Project
Assignment 1

22nd March 2019

University of South Australia

SP2 / 2019
110237728
1
 “Nature meeting Interior”
Valeria Nascimento has always believed that nature
is very powerful and needs to go along within an
urban environment. Therefore, she not just imitates
nature but also translates it in a contemporary
fashion.
Name
Valeria Nascimento

Born
1962 in Brazil

Currently
based in London

Graduated
1985 in Architecture

Started ceramics
1986 in Rhio,
refined her skills

Represented by
Woolft gallery
since 2007

Experience:
over 20 years

(Valéria Nascimento Porcelain Installations, n.d.)

The memories from childhood imprinted play a role
of inspiration for Valeria Nascimento. She spent
most of her childhood days in the farms of Brazil
which were surrounded by the nature and delicate
detailing of the organic forms. The artist was
fascinated by these elements and depicted the
inspiration in the form of delicate, whisper-thin
ceramic artworks resembling flower petals and bird
wings which provides a comforting warmth.

As Art and Architecture are close-knit forms of

Design, artists architectural background reappears
in her artworks in the form of repetitive sequences,
structure and detailing adding to work on multiples.
(Valéria Nascimento Porcelain Installations, n.d.)

The artworks of Valeria appears to be simple yet

very powerful. The color and shape gradation,
three-dimensional aspects of her installation are
outspoken. The cool whiteness of the elements
gives an impression of hardness whereas the play
of shadow formed by the jarred edges gives off a
soft feeling. Art is a form of therapy and Valeria
Nascimento's works are a great example for the
same. (Hirsch, 2015). This technique of giving
weightlessness is chosen by many healing
therapies. One of her famous artworks “Echoes of
Nature” is installed in a chemotherapy department
of Bartholomew's Hospital in London.
Valeria collects the elements related to nature
according to the concepts of her projects which
helps her visualize the scale and installation as a
whole. The physical structure and texture is
analyzed by her at the initial period and later
created by either the hand moulding or wrapping
techniques to obtain precise detailing with a thin
clay slab. The elements of multiples are highly
delicate and small because of which all the
installations are done at the site itself. Once all the
elements are moulded in the desired shape, they
are baked in the kiln at 1260 celsius giving the
multiples strength. For the wall-mounted
installations, she used galvanized nails painted in
white pigment forming the pattern. The nails are
hidden as the elements are placed over them.
(Harnetty, 2010). This gives weightlessness and airy
feel to the installation.

Some of
the other
art
Works of
Valeria
Nascimento
The “blooming log” is a very elegant artwork
created by Valeria Nascimento in 2017. This piece
of work comprises of 100’s of small organically
sculpted ceramic elements arranged in the cohesive
structure. The base supporting the formation is also
linking to the nature providing it a complete
blooming concept. The base for the installation is of
walnut wooden log shaped and carved in an
abstract manner. The approximate size of the
artwork is 51/2h x 283/4w x 13 d. The delicate
ceramic elements with folds and jiggered edges
creating shadows add to the three-dimensional
visualizations. These thin like paper ceramic
elements resembles small flowers recently
bloomed are placed randomly over the log with the
help of thin nails depicting the concept of life.
Blooming log as artwork is very calming not only
because of the concept but also the contrast of
colors. The white delicate ceramic elements placed
over the dark brown color log adds to the concept
giving it more realism making it stand out. This
artwork “blooming log” is a true example for
contemporary artwork imitating nature by
translating it.
(Docs.wixstatic.com, 2019)
 Biblography

Ø Harnetty, J, 2010, Wall Flowers: Valeria

Nascimento's Porcelain Wall Sculptures -
Ceramic Arts Network, Ceramic Arts Network,
<https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/daily/ceramic-
art-and-artists/ceramic-sculpture/wall-flowers-
valeria-nascimentos-porcelain-wall-sculptures-
2/>

Ø Hirsch, A, 2015, Valeria Nascimento - Amy

Hirsch, Amy Hirsch,
<https://bspoke.net/2015/05/11/valeria-
nascimento/>

Ø Valéria Nascimento Porcelain Installations, n.d,

Valéria Nascimento Porcelain Installations,
<https://www.valerianascimento.com>

Ø Docs.wixstatic.com, 2019,
<http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/a82b46_8b1c5e
abd2ac4ea38a6da7827b22dcb0.pdf>
CERAMICS & PRODUCTION
TECHNIQUES

JOURNAL

110237728