Nicholas Arroyave-Portela’s professional ceramic practice 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