Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Dehydrated Form with Cosmic Black Glaze No 115 by Nicholas Arroyave-Portela

About the Item

‘Dehydrated Form with Cosmic Black Glaze No 115’ is a unique sculptural vessel by the British artist, Nicholas Arroyave-Portela. Nicholas Arroyave-Portela’s professional ceramic practise began in 1994. After 20 years based in London, he moved and set up his studio in Barcelona, Spain. Arroyave-Portela''s creations are all thrown on the wheel using his own unique technique. Pulling up as much clay from the bottom mass as possible, the clay walls of each piece are created thin and even, maximising the artist’s ability to manipulate the form while the material is still soft and malleable. Additional porcelain slips are sometimes applied to create further surface textures and layering. After the first initial bisque firing (1080 degrees) glazes are applied by using various methods such as spraying and pouring, a process often repeated several times after each firing of 1260 degrees. The multi-firing process allows for the build-up of the glaze, creating a rich palette of tones and finishes. Arroyave-Portela works can be found in various major museums and private collections worldwide including the Ashmolean Museum (Oxford UK), the Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge UK), The Philadelphia Museum of Art (USA) to name a few. In the artist’s own words; “Over two decades ago when I started out as a young artist working with clay, a particular concept haunted me - “It is written the water that flows into the earthenware vessel takes on its form" Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher - I wanted to explore how this idea actually translated for me. I started experimenting with polythene, a material easily transformed in shape and form through the insertion of water inside its walls. This analysis led to a fascination with saturation, volume and fullness, also with the opposite qualities, of emptiness, dehydration, cracked and dry. After a long break of many years, I decided to revisit the vessel as a vehicle for self-expression. It felt like coming home after a long journey. I have become conscious that these qualities have now taken on a symbolic emotional gesture of the human condition. When working with materials as metaphorically powerful as Earth, Air, Fire and Water, I am also made aware that the ritualistic and performative aspects of throwing have become like a mantra for me, one in which the revolving motion of the wheel head, the clay moving through my hands and the water acting as a lubricant to create form also allows me to connect to a particular state of mind. The vessels that are created are the manifestation of being in that state of mind where I am free to trust my intuition and creative instincts. I also take inspiration from the life and work of Dr. Masaru Emoto, the Japanese scientist who studied the scientific evidence of how the molecular structure of water transforms when it is exposed to human words, thoughts, sounds and intentions. Water being one of the constant references in my work, Dr. Masaru Emoto has made me more mindful of what I am putting into each and every work of art that I produce. Indeed I am also able to use the metaphor of water as a means of representing time, which not only takes an infinite number of shapes but also comes in cycles” Not suitable for holding water.
More From This SellerView All
  • Irregular Form with Cosmic Galactic Highlights No 121, Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    By Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    Located in London, GB
    ‘Irregular Form with Cosmic Galactic Highlights No 121’ is a unique sculptural vessel by the British artist, Nicholas Arroyave-Portela. Nicholas Arroyave-Portela’s professional cera...
    Category

    2010s Spanish Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware

  • Black Crumpled Form No 10, Ceramic Vessel by Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    By Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    Located in London, GB
    Black crumpled form No 10 is a unique ceramic sculptural vessel by the British artist Nicholas Arroyave-Portela. Nicholas Arroyave-Portela...
    Category

    2010s Spanish Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Ceramic, Stoneware

  • Tall Black Crumpled Form No 94, a Ceramic Vessel by Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    By Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    Located in London, GB
    ‘Tall Black Crumpled Form No 94’ is a unique sculptural vessel by the British artist, Nicholas Arroyave-Portela. Nicholas Arroyave-Portela’s professional ceramic practise began in...
    Category

    2010s Spanish Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Ceramic, Stoneware

  • Slashed Crumpled Form No 60, a Ceramic Vessel by Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    By Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    Located in London, GB
    Slashed Crumpled Form No 60 is a unique ceramic sculptural vessel by the British artist Nicholas Arroyave-Portela, made from white St.Thomas ...
    Category

    2010s Spanish Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware

  • Undulating Crumpled Form No 70, a Ceramic Vessel by Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    By Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    Located in London, GB
    Undulating Crumpled Form No 70 is a unique ceramic sculptural vessel by the British artist Nicholas Arroyave-Portela, made from white St.Thom...
    Category

    2010s Spanish Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware

  • Tall Gold Crumpled Form No 97, ceramic vessel by Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    By Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    Located in London, GB
    ‘Tall Gold Crumpled Form No 97’ is a unique sculptural vessel by the British artist, Nicholas Arroyave-Portela. Nicholas Arroyave-Portela’s professional ceramic practise began in 19...
    Category

    2010s Spanish Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Ceramic

You May Also Like
  • Black Dehydrated Form, Unique Ceramic Sculpture Vessel, Objet d'Art
    By Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    Located in London, GB
    New sumptuous ceramic vessel from ceramic artist Nicholas Arroyave-Portela. Materials. White St. Thomas clay. Stoneware glazes. Multi fired to cone 9 (1260-1280 degrees) The ar...
    Category

    2010s Spanish Organic Modern Vases

    Materials

    Clay

  • Black Metallic Oval Dehydrated Form, Vase, Interior Sculpture or Vessel, Objet D
    By Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    Located in London, GB
    New sumptuous ceramic vessel from ceramic artist Nicholas Arroyave-Portela. Materials. White St. Thomas clay. Stoneware glazes. Multi fired to cone 9 (1260-1280 degrees) The artist...
    Category

    2010s Spanish Organic Modern Vases

    Materials

    Ceramic

  • Black Dehydrated Form, Vase, Interior Sculpture or Vessel, Objet D'Art
    By Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    Located in London, GB
    New sumptuous ceramic vessel from ceramic artist Nicholas Arroyave-Portela. Materials. White St. Thomas clay. Stoneware glazes. Multi fired to cone 9 (1260-1280 degrees) The ar...
    Category

    2010s Spanish Organic Modern Vases

    Materials

    Ceramic

  • Unique Ceramic Sculpture Vessel N.55, Black Wave Form, Objet d'Art
    By Nicholas Arroyave-Portela
    Located in London, GB
    New sumptuous ceramic vessel from ceramic artist Nicholas Arroyave-Portela. Materials. White St. Thomas clay. Stoneware glazes. Multi fired to cone 9 (1260-1280 degrees) The ar...
    Category

    2010s Spanish Organic Modern Vases

    Materials

    Clay

  • Unique Organic Form Black Glazed Pottery Sculpture
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Dive deep into a realm of artistic enigma with this remarkable abstract black glazed pottery sculpture, signed "Verna 1974." While the artist remains shrouded in mystery, the sheer g...
    Category

    Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Pottery, Ceramic, Stoneware

  • Form No. 1 by Raka Studio - Wood Sculpture, Bent Wood
    By Raka Studio
    Located in Cape Girardeau, MO
    The sculpture demonstrates the flow of wood; the emerging and the reduction of wood while retaining an organic form. The Forms are directed towards exploring the crafting technique...
    Category

    2010s Asian Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Ash, Bentwood

Recently Viewed

View All