Tere Marín Keymer

Ceramicist

Porcelain reveries of the cosmos

Tere is a third-generation ceramicist
She crafts natural themes in porcelain and stoneware
She shares her porcelain techniques in workshops she teaches

For Tere Marín Keymer, her work is a means of creative self-expression born from her cultural upbringing. Deeply rooted in nature, her pieces offer viewers a metaphorical journey through marine and cosmic worlds. "Observing the forms, textures, rhythms, and movements of nature, I construct each piece with rigour and fluidity, evoking mysterious rhythms and origins," she explains. Tere primarily works with porcelain, and in her more sculptural pieces, she uses black stoneware, resulting in striking contrasts. Over the years, she has mastered technical skills through courses led by national and international ceramic masters. Tere currently divides her time between Isla Negra and Santiago, where she teaches porcelain techniques through workshops.

Interview

What was childhood like in a family of sculptors?: I inherited my mother's love for ceramics, and I also fondly recall my maternal grandpa crafting scenes from ceramic. I rediscovered ceramics as an adult, after pursuing design studies. Genetics perhaps play a role.
How did your career evolve?: My ceramic career, nurtured in childhood by observing clay with my grandfather and my mother, started at Huara Huara workshop with Ruth Krauskopf. There, exploring stoneware and porcelain with fellow artists, I discovered their potential and limitations.
How has your work changed over the years?: I started with marine forms, reflecting their details. My pieces then evolved into abstract shapes with more personal content. My latest exhibition, titled Frágiles Universos, reflects this change, where I work with very thin porcelain, allowing me to convey its translucency, fragility and elegance.
How do you handle creative setbacks?: When working with ceramics, one needs a high tolerance for disappointment and failure. Learning from mistakes with humility yet perseverance is vital. If I believe in a piece, I will keep trying until I achieve a good outcome.

Tere Marín Keymer is a master artisan: she began her career in 1988 and she started teaching in 2005