The Ceramical Art of Carmen Vila

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The Ceramical Art of Carmen Vila
We spoke with Carmen Vila, a renowned ceramicist from Granada, to learn more about her career and fascinating creative process. Her work, deeply rooted in a connection with contemporary design and refined technique, spans from the reproduction of historical forms to the creation of unique porcelain sculptures. Additionally, Carmen shared details about her collaboration with Romualda—a reunion brimming with inspiration and creativity
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"I primarily work with porcelain, developing ceramic sculptures and exhibition projects. My journey began as an art historian, but it was during my research on Nasrid ceramics for a doctoral thesis that I truly delved into this fascinating world. Gradually, I left academia to immerse myself in the practical learning of ceramic techniques, starting in the workshop of Susan Hart, an English ceramicist based in the Albaicín district of Granada. From there, my path has been highly varied. I spent time in Salerno, Italy, honing my skills on the potter’s wheel and in modelling, and later trained in stoneware and porcelain during my stay in Amsterdam. In Madrid, I worked on reproducing medieval tiles and later collaborated with the Archaeological Museum of Granada on the restoration and reproduction of Roman-era pieces. During those years, I also taught classes on the history of ceramics and introductory ceramic techniques.
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In my creative process, I’ve explored many influences, ranging from Hellenistic ceramic forms to contemporary design. Initially, I focused on creating functional clay pieces such as tableware and lamps, but over time my work has evolved into a more sculptural and contemporary language. I draw deep inspiration from Japanese ceramics, particularly the works of Shōji Hamada, the sculptures of Constantin Brancusi, and the paintings of artists like Giorgio Morandi, Paul Klee, and Wassily Kandinsky. I also greatly admire the elegant, modern forms of ceramicist Lucie Rie, whose work has been a constant reference in my practice.
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At present, my work revolves around creating ceramic sculptures in porcelain, firing at high temperatures of up to 1,300 degrees. My process is entirely artisanal: I combine wheel-throwing with hand-modelling to bring unique, personalised pieces to life. I also develop ceramic installations, transforming spaces with sculptures that interact with one another and their surroundings. Currently, I am preparing an exhibition for the Rodríguez Acosta Foundation within the Alhambra complex. For this project, I’ve sought to harmonise the colours of my pieces with the tones present in the Foundation’s drawings, achieving a visually satisfying composition.
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I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with Romualda on several occasions, and working together again has been an immensely rewarding experience. The professional relationship we’ve built through previous projects in Granada has always been highly constructive, and I’m thrilled to have participated once more in such an inspiring endeavour as theirs."
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