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José Ángel Ruiz González & Lola Díaz Rodríguez

  • Alfajar
  • Ceramicist
  • Málaga, Spain
  • Master Artisan
José Ángel Ruiz González & Lola Díaz Rodríguez Ceramicist
Contact
Spanish, English, Italian
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+34 952211272
©Sylvi_Schaffrath

Fine arts ceramics from a family hub

  • • Lola and José Ángel made ceramics their family occupation
  • • Their creations combine innovative and traditional techniques
  • • They are inspired by different Mediterranean cultures

Lola Díaz Rodríguez and José Ángel Ruiz González are the artisans behind Alfajar, a shop and atelier dedicated to ceramics in Malaga. Today they run the workshop with their two daughters, Diana and Paula, too. Influenced by diverse Mediterranean cultures, they combine traditional techniques with innovative approaches to create handmade ceramic pieces of geometric forms, simplified shapes and a timeless allure. Their journey into ceramics began in the mid-1970s when José Ángel, a fine arts student from Orense, and Lola, an aspiring Sevillian artist studying arts and crafts, crossed paths in Seville. Together they honed their skills through extensive courses, workshops, and seminars in Spain, and other parts of the world, as well as through travels and cultural experiences. These diverse influences shaped their distinct style and, in 1992, led them to found their workshop, Alfajar.

Read the full interview

Works

  • ©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos
  • ©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos
  • ©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos
  • ©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos
  • ©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos
Photo: ©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos
Mujer tumbada

Created in refractory clay, this piece features a ceramic sculpture in the shape of a reclining woman, visible from both sides, mounted on a patinated steel base. Its curves and contours are enhanced by a glaze of metallic oxides and ashes, giving the piece depth and visual appeal.

Photo: ©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos
Gran Botella Las Meninas

This is a large-format bottle made of refractory clay. It is decorated with a reinterpretation of the iconic artwork Las Meninas by Spanish painter Diego Velázquez. The piece showcases a fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. It is decorated with metallic oxides and an ash glaze, and pays homage to the renowned Spanish artist and his masterpiece.

Photo: ©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos
Venus’ plate

The Venus plate, made on the potter's wheel and hand-painted by José Ángel Ruiz and Lola Diaz, is a dish made from refractory clay, representing the face of a classical Venus. However it does have influences of cubist, surrealist and Andalusian art. The dish is treated with metallic oxides and ash glazes, which give it depth and character.

Photo: ©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos
Medium, lenticular and vertical jug

This medium lenticular and vertical jug depicting a woman is a ceramic piece made from high-temperature stoneware. As well as being a functional item, it is also a work of art, with a unique female shape with a handle and a jug-shaped opening. Its surface is meticulously crafted by hand using iron, manganese and cobalt oxides and ash glazes. Artisans combine wax resist and sgraffito techniques to achieve the jug's distinctive appearance, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and striking design.

Photo: ©Fer Gómez + Plan D Creativos
Apple

This apple-shaped bottle, crafted in high-temperature stoneware, features a captivating illustration of a woman. Its surface has been hand-treated with iron, manganese and cobalt oxides and ash glazes. The techniques combine wax resist and sgraffito, bringing the illustration to life with meticulous detail and an aesthetic reminiscent of cubism as an expression. This ceramic bottle blurs the boundaries between art and craft to enhance the depiction of the female figure.

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