Carina Ciscato Brazilian, b. 1970

Carina Ciscato's spontaneous and fluid pots are the result of thoughtful deliberation. They are carefully conceived, the subtle and delicate marks gently applied, the pots distorted and altered. This gives the feel that their loose and rhythmic forms appear spontaneously on the wheel, but far from it – each pot is totally unique with its own personality, which can’t be reproduced, however it does belong to a family of pots that share similar characteristics. The pots, she says, should be able to speak for themselves. The quiet and muted tones of white and celadon glazes are chosen to emphasize the fluidity of the forms.

The material Carina uses – porcelain, is also critical to her work, as the delicate, fraying and torn edges are exploring the limits of the material when thrown. Marks made by the making process are intentionally left to emphasize the pots' tactile qualities, and honesty. There are no secrets with her work, but mystery in plenty. Carina wants to create objects that can stand alone, that don’t need to be used but ask to be, and want to be touched and handled. “They are perfectly imperfect”, she says.

Carina Ciscato is a Brazilian potter from Sao Paulo, who has lived in London since 1999. She studied ceramics in Europe, USA and South America, having been apprenticed to Marietta Cremer in Krefeld, Germany (1992—93) and to Lucia Ramenzoni in San Paulo, Brazil (1993—99). She moved to the UK in 1999, and from 2000—03 she was assistant to the English studio potter Julian Stair in London. In 2004 she set up her own studio in Camberwell, London.

Since 2001 she has participated in numerous group shows, mainly in London, including: Joanna Bird; Royal College of Art; Gallery Besson; Victoria & Albert Museum; Craft Council; Chelsea Craft Fair. She has also been exhibited at the Leach Pottery in St Ives; Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Work is in the collection of the V&A Museum, London, and the Devonshire collection, as well as in significant private collections internationally.