época
Throwing themselves into the clay. That's what these two creators did. One a photographer, the other a gastronomic consultant. Together, they expanded their interests, acquired knowledge in ceramics, and polished their technique between official teaching and self-taught.
Studying, researching, experimenting, developing... That's how the first years went until they found their place. A place with purity, earthy colors, with ochres, warm and white. That is today the piece they seek and find. Perfect roughness, unfinished finishes, and naturalness in the material and the manufacture.
In 2019, the work for designers, brands, and recognized clients began to arrive, from here and abroad. And soon, the recognitions.
Today, Sonia and Jaime, creators of 'time' and guardians of this workshop in Avila, put words to their life and work:
Hello Sonia and Jaime. At what exact moment did you decide to add ceramic production to your life?
We believe that it is possible to dedicate yourself to several things and be enriched by all of them. What happened was that a new form of artistic expression came into our lives, without bursting in abruptly but growing organically.
In 2016, we began to work with clay out of curiosity. That first contact awakened something deeper: a growing need to dedicate time, attention, and learning to it. In the end, clay claimed its place, and we made room for it, moved by the desire to experiment and discover everything it could offer us.
What do the expressions “sustainability” and “respect for the planet” mean to you?
For us, sustainability is not just a question of materials or processes, but a way of understanding life. In a world that pushes us towards limitless growth, we opt for balance. We believe that “enough” is also a valid option: living without the need to accumulate more things and finding tranquility in that point of balance where the essential is enough to live in harmony.
It is from that perspective that we conceive our pieces. We intentionally create them to last over time, so that they are life companions and not disposable objects. This thought, which rejects the logic of "use and throw away", is linked to our vision of a more sustainable world.
How did the idea of expanding to the East come about?
Gilliam Space - a gallery in Taiwan - contacted us offering us the opportunity to have a physical point of sale. It is a dream come true to see how our work reaches so far, and we cannot help but feel grateful for this opportunity.
Ceramics has a long tradition in China, where craftsmanship is appreciated. That our pieces find a place where there is something that excites and honors us. Although we have an online store, nothing compares to the real connection that is established by seeing, touching, and experiencing our pieces in person.
Do you have any hobbies outside of work?
Outside of our professions - which are an extension of our passions, and we do not feel the need to escape from what we do - what we enjoy most is walking in the forest. Walking without rushing, sitting by the river on a log, and simply watching time pass, always accompanied by our dog Truffaut.
Do you use technology to create your designs or pieces? What kind?
During the process of creating our pieces, the work is 100% handmade. The design is still manual, done with pencil and paper, and the packaging of each piece is something we take meticulous care of, as it is our way of protecting and therefore honoring what we have created.
Technology, however, plays a crucial role in other processes, such as firing, raising the pieces to 900ºC for bisque firing and then to 1250ºC for final firing. And then, photography, editing, and management of our online store, facilitating contact with a global community. This is how technology is integrated into our process.
Why Ávila?
By chance. We had no family connection with this city. We came here after seeing an advert for a house on a website. Since then, Ávila has become our home.
You work together in the same space. As artisans, what do you bring to each other?
We work in the same space, but each of us has our approach and project. The dynamic of sharing the workshop allows us to have the possibility of exchanging ideas. We are often immersed in different tasks, but we always ask for each other's opinions, which improves our creative process.
What do you feel when you receive recognition?
When we receive an award, the first thing we feel is deep gratitude. It tells us that our work has an impact and is appreciated, and it is part of the reason that motivates us to continue moving forward. As human beings, we all seek acceptance in some way; it is a natural need that drives us to continue creating and to be part of a community. This type of recognition acts as emotional fuel, giving us the confidence that what we are doing has a purpose and connects with others. It makes us feel more confident in our intuition and pushes us to continue exploring and evolving.
Between Madrid and Ávila, do you have a favorite spot where you can get lost and disconnect?
We have many places that we are passionate about, between Ávila and Madrid, but if there is one that connects us, it is San Lorenzo de El Escorial. It has been our home for many years, and it is there where we have part of our family. It is a very special place where we have many of our most cherished memories and experiences.
How do you design tableware for a Michelin-starred restaurant?
That requires a very different approach to our usual pieces. In this case, the key is collaboration with the chef. Before we start, we like to get to know him and understand his ideas, his history, and his culinary vision. Jaime, who is also a chef, can understand this language and the specific needs that arise from the kitchen.
This process becomes a team effort, in which we seek to translate the chef's ideas into a unique piece. We feel very fortunate to be able to work alongside great creatives, as was the case with the collaboration with Carlos Casillas for Barro. It was a very fun process, exploring innovative ideas such as sounding plates, smoking chimneys, or plates that are forests. It is a real pleasure when the team is full of creativity and desire to experiment, and there is space for unique and unusual ideas to emerge.
Nuestro anterior invitado, The Penrider, dejó esta pregunta para el siguiente: ¿Qué es lo que menos os gusta de vuestro trabajo?
Repeating the same pieces over and over again was, at the beginning of our apprenticeship, an essential practice. This exercise allowed us to perfect the technique and strengthen our understanding of the material, something that is still necessary even now to continue growing. However: we do not enjoy this repetition. We believe that pieces that are born uniquely and spontaneously have a special authenticity, a naturalness that makes them inimitable. Unique pieces generate greater emotion.
Could you leave us a question for the next guest?
Yes, what place does intuition occupy in your creative process?
