The artist Maria Castel-Branco is always present in our space, her work expresses her creativity through her unique and delicate language.

It was in multimedia and graphic design that Maria began her professional career, her desire to express herself through plastic arts began with her hobby in cake design, when shaping the decorations.  Now working as a sculptor, her pieces are timeless and unique, revealing the natural imperfections of manual work, which in a way make them even more special.

Her collection DIÁLOGOS explores her intimate relationship with clay.

"Of all the languages I know, the language of symbols is the one I master best. It’s a universe. A universal verse. Where all interpretations are possible. I grew up in the middle of symbols.

This challenge from Pura Cal led me to intimate conversations between me and clay, which resulted in symbolizing what is most romantic and pragmatic in me.

Composed of rounder or straighter shapes, the pieces from the DIÁLOGOS collection are between this dichotomy of mine. Here, nothing is lost in translation."

Maria Castel-Branco

We spoke with Maria about this collection and her work in general, and she revealed to us that is sometimes difficult to separate from her creations.

After a few years of collaboration there is a special synergy between Maria and Pura Cal, the collection "Dialogues" is born from the challenge launched by João Vilela to create something special for LISBON DESIGN WEEK. What inspired you to create these pieces?

Yes, me and João, after all these years of work, are more friends than partners. We talk a lot. About everything... and it was in this chemistry and these conversations, between me and João, and between me and the clay, that I was inspired.

The collection is about symbols and the possibility of different interpretations. What do these symbols mean to you?

They mean conversations, outbursts, childhood references, and direct and indirect forms of communicating. They mean a whole language that I grew up with and always understood and used.

Do your pieces always speak the same language?

I don’t know if they always speak the same language, but they always express what I feel and how I feel. But, yes, the language of feelings is constant in my work.

What are the usual stages of your creative process?

When my customers make a request, I spend some time thinking about the theme. I write sentences, point out ideas, and start drawing in my mind, until one day I put them on paper. I draw the pieces with a brush and then my hands become the brush.

I present a proposal that is merely a draft, just to give an idea, a concept of what I will do. I develop the pieces and flirt with them. When I make a decision about the colour, I glaze them, photograph them and they’re ready to go. I often keep them for a few more days, just to be able to let go of them.

Then I hope they make the customer smile as much as they made me smile.

Find HERE all available pieces from the artist.