MARTHA PRIETO LARMIER

My name is Martha Prieto Larmier and I’m a Cuban American ceramic artist. I work from my home studio in Coconut Grove. Clay is my medium.

Having lived in Europe, the Caribbean and in Central and South America and having traveled to Asia, I was enriched and inspired by the different cultures of each country and that in turn influenced my ceramics.

Using hand-building techniques like coils, slabs and pinch pots, I create unique, one of a kind pieces that retain a human imprint. I like to say that my pieces are perfectly imperfect. Different color stoneware clays are hand-built to form female figures, vessels and mixed media sculpture. My vessels, bowls, bottles and vases, often blur the boundary between sculpture and utility. Once the pieces are finished and bone dry, they are bisque fired in an electric kiln to cone 04 (1950 degrees Fahrenheit). Oxide washes, under-glaze and glazes are applied and pieces are re-fired in an electric kiln to Cone 6 (2240 degrees Fahrenheit). The magic happens in the kiln. The addition of grog, metal wire, leather cord, nails and wood take the ceramic sculptures to another dimension giving them texture and contrast.

Teaching is another vital part of my ceramic life and one of my greatest joys. I have been instructing students on all aspects of hand-building at the Ceramic League of Miami for 30 years.

Whenever I’m not playing with clay, you will find me in my garden, in my kitchen cooking, spending time with my family and friends or traveling looking for another ceramic town..

Martha Prieto Larmier