GRACIDA

Living in different countries provided me with a diverse background dosed with contrasting cultures. Over the years, contemplating Mexican, Swedish, Finnish, Brazilian and American cultures, taught me to question my own perceptions of life and beliefs. At the end it transcends any cultural cliché and becomes ‘human’. Having to start over in life multiple times, time and self reflection have become significant tools to me. It awakens my perception and capability of receiving and letting go of things that define me. It makes me aware of my own fundamental existence, and how I can change without losing myself. There is something about ceramics that is similar to this life experience. Clay as a material is such a dynamic medium: It is constantly changing and the process of ceramics literally pulls you to be in the present, giving you a continuous feedback, reflecting all your actions. Through my work I want to convey contrast and openness at the same time. I am interested in creating pieces with an essence that can be interpreted and redefined by others. I create pieces based on tactility, color and to awaken perception and create between my ceramics and a person. I use repetitive patterns as an imprint of time and my creative process, to make evident the presence of a human hand. I graduated with a MFA at the Design Institute in Umea, Sweden and a BFA in Industrial Design in Mexico City. My studio is located in Saint Joseph, Michigan and currently I work as ceramics teacher at Krasl Art Center.