By: de JESUS, Toni (1995-)

Acq. Number: 905

Dimensions: height 14.5 cm (largest piece)

Artwork_Medium: porcelain, earthenware, transfer-prints, gold lustre

Purchased: 2024

Buyer: RENTON Andrew – CASW Hibbard Prize 2024

Location: Nantgarw China Works

Town: Nantgarw

Content: Toni de Jesus describes his work as being autobiographical and about a search for identity in a world of constant political, economic and socio-cultural flux. He explores the duality between function and non-function, tradition and breaking with tradition, craftsmanship-based art and idea-based art. This series of eleven decorative cups is an interpretation of the humble vessel form. It evolved from a found object, an ordinary porcelain cup decorated with flowers. As each object transforms the previous one, the series becomes less functional and increasingly sculptural and expressive. [Accession number: NGATM.2025.110] Image © Toni de Jesus/Dewi Tannant Lloyd

Notes: Toni De Jesus was born in the UK, grew up in Madeira (Portugal), and returned to the UK in 2008. He studied ceramics at City College Brighton and Hove (2013-2014) and at Cardiff School of Art and Design (2015-2018). After graduation, he established his practice in Cardiff, where he is based at Fireworks Clay Studios. He exhibited in FRESH at the British Ceramics Biennial (2019) and was awarded the Guldagergaard International Residency (2021). He has exhibited regularly in the UK and internationally. In 2024 he was made a Selected Member by the Craft Potters Association and, having been recognised as a ‘rising star’, exhibited in Venice at the Homo Faber Biennial in Venice. He has work in the collections of Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, Nantgarw China Works Museum and MUDAS – Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Madeira.