This ceramic mask was inspired by Los Diablos Danzantes de Yare, a vibrant and deeply symbolic Venezuelan festivity where masked devils dance in an expression of faith, resistance, and ancestral tradition.
I was drawn to the bold forms, the intensity of the colors, and the cultural weight each mask carries — and I wanted to translate that energy into clay.
Measurements: 36 cm x 12 cm x h 42 cm / 14.1 in x 4.7 in x h 16.5 in
The process of sculpting the mask was incredibly enjoyable — I felt connected to something both playful and profound as I shaped its horns and exaggerated features. But ceramics has a way of humbling us. When I opened the kiln, I found the piece had exploded due to hidden humidity in the clay. I never got the chance to paint or glaze it as I had imagined, echoing the reds, yellows, and blacks that embody the spirit of Yare.
Even so, this experience was a gift. Ceramics is unpredictable — a constant dialogue with the elements — and every piece, even the broken ones, teaches us something valuable. I learned more about timing, patience, and listening closely to the material. Despite the outcome, I left this experience inspired, reminded that creation isn’t always about perfection — sometimes it’s about process, joy, and the lessons fire reveals.
R.I.P
