At this small studio in Santiago, Chile, every piece is the work of human hands and heart. The artisans here have dedicated their lives to shaping simple clay into natural works of art, drawing inspiration from the country’s rich ceramic heritage and abundant natural materials. Known for their striking use of black, this studio uses contrast to highlight the form and elements within each piece.

Every design begins as a simple sketch. Sourcing their materials from the coastal Andes, the clay here has a higher plasticity, giving it a distinctive color and texture like no other. Once it arrives at the studio, the clay is kneaded to form the sculptural design, then polished with a sponge to smooth out the rough edges. After the first firing, the ceramics are removed, glazed with custom colors, and then fired for another day.

All in all, the process can take a minimum of 10 days to complete. It’s a labor of love that, for these artisans, comes naturally, having inherited the art form from the generation before them. Pushing the raw clay to its limits every day, these artisans are shaping the future of ceramics in Chile.