Nicholas Arroyave-Portela

Studio Assaig 7

Ceramicist

Throwing flowing shapes of water

Nicholas defines himself as a ceramic artist
His speciality is throwing on the wheel
He has lived in London and Barcelona

Ever since Nicholas Arroyave-Portela was a child he knew that he would become an artisan. “I remember being introduced to clay for the first time when I was about five years old. We were all given a ball of clay and taught how to make a thumb pot. That experience deeply impacted me and has stayed with me until now. At about 16, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the arts. I come from a long line of doctors, but medicine was not for me,” he explains. “I did an arts foundation course for one year in Banbury (Oxfordshire) at the age of 18 after my A-levels. I then went on to do a specialised ceramics degree for three years in Bath, where I had amazing tutors, including people like Felicity Aylieff, Mo Jupp, and Kate Malone, to name but a few.” Nicholas opened up his first studio in London in 2000, and in 2013 he moved to Barcelona, where he now also has a studio and works daily.

Interview

Do you think ceramics chose you?: Yes, I feel that this profession chose me. From the very first moment I held clay in my hands, I felt there was nothing else I could do or want to do as a profession.
How did you start?: When I graduated in 1994, I moved to London and rented a workspace in a shared ceramic workshop run by Kate Malone. That is where my professional practice started. Once settled in, I applied for a Crafts Council setting-up grant which provided 50% of the start-up costs and enabled me to buy my wheel, spray booth, and other essential items.
Are London and Barcelona reflected in your work?: I suspect that your environment always has an impact, whether consciously or unconsciously, on the work you create. I produced an entire body of work about my identity called Todo Sobre Mi Padre, that explored the idea of belonging or not. I would not say there is a direct connection between what I create and the place where I live.
How has philosopher Lao Tzu influenced your work?: I came across him when I was at college. He said, "The water that flows into the earthenware vessel takes on its form." I wanted to subvert this idea and find a way to create forms that emulated the shape of water. This led to the investigation of volume, dehydration and skin.

Nicholas Arroyave-Portela is a master artisan: he began his career in 1994 and he started teaching in 1996