THE VALUE OF THE UNIQUE

THINKING OF THE “ACQUA” BOWLS AS VARIATIONS ON A CONSCIOUS GESTURE.

What does “unique” really mean?

In my work, “unique” doesn’t mean something that just happened once by chance, it means something carefully considered, designed never to repeat itself in the same way — while always remaining true to a clear intention.

The “Acqua” bowls are born from a precise sequence of gestures: each step is intentional. The colour is applied in a liquid consistency so the brushstrokes remain visible.

Even on the outer surface, the brown slip is spread with a broad brush in just two passes.

This creates transparency: the brushwork stays traceable, never entirely covered.

The resulting surfaces are similar, but never identical.

On the same brown surface, after the colour is laid down, I engrave small circular swirls —

which will later be filled with an orange glaze. Each line, each dot, has its own reason, its own rhythm. Inside the bowl, to create the diamond pattern, I load the brush with pigment and drag it until almost dry.

This way, segments of deep colour mix with pale ones, creating variation and movement.

From a simple structure emerge subtle shifts, surprises, and tonal nuances.

And then: a new colour for more diamonds, fine lines that cannot be missed, and tiny drops of glaze — everything contributes. This is how I honour those who choose my ceramics: by shaping each gesture, each step, each structure into something that wants to become beauty.

With hands and heart,

LOU ArteCeramica