Emerging Creative: Iara Djanira
Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey as a Ceramist.
My name is Iara (pronounced 'yara'), I'm 24 and based in London. I discovered the magic of working with clay when I joined the University of Brighton’s 3D Design and Craft course in 2021 and specialised in throwing in my final year.
Now that I am back in London, I will be starting as a work exchange member of The Kiln Rooms where I want to continue my graduate project and create bigger, more colourful and more chaotic pieces.
What made you interested in Ceramics?
I'm very materials-led so I like being able to see a project all the way through by understanding what is possible with a material. I've ended up working only in ceramics because it has so many variables that it feels like a material I could explore for my entire life and never fully understand it.
When did you first get involved with Ceramics/Craft?
I've been doing craft for as long as I remember, I went to arts and crafts clubs as a child, took DT in school, did a foundation year specialising in 3D and have graduated in 3D Design and Craft.
What’s one of your pieces that you are particularly proud of?
Confrontation Constellation' was the most difficult piece to process and go through with as the cracks, stretch marks and composition confronted my perfectionism quite head on. I was initially ready to scrap the piece but hesitantly went through with glazing and firing anyway and it's ended up being my favourite piece so far.
Describe your work in one sentence
Unpredictable, colourful ceramic collages/collisions/constellations.
What is a cause you’d like to channel through your work?
I think I’d just like to help people realise there’s joy to be found in not being a perfectionist/trying to control everything you do and the way you’re perceived.
What is a piece you always go back to?
Linda Bloomfield’s ‘Special Effects Glazes’ book!
Do you have any women in that industry that serve as role models to you/particularly inspire you?
Lina Bo Bardi, Toshiko Takaezu, Bisila Noha, Clare Twomey and 100 gecs
What would you choose as a soundtrack to your work?
Anything hyperpop or bubblegum bass. Colourful, super sweet and mildly overstimulating.
Lastly, what is one unexpected fact about you?
I actually thought I was going to be a woodworker for a very long time!
Iara’s pieces 'Collage', 'Confrontation Constellation', 'Factory' and 'Alternating' are currently for sale and can be purchased on her website: https://www.ceramicsbyiara.uk/
You can follow Iara on instagram @iara.djanira or contact her here: https://linktr.ee/iara.djanira
