‘Smoke’: Lucía Pizzani

Drawing spirit-like imagery from natural forms, Pizzani creates ceramic talismans and guardians. Keepers of human and botanical histories, they hold stories of migration: of plants, cultural practices and the artist’s own move from Venezuela to London.

Her ‘Flora Totems’ are made from English clays imprinted with plants such as corn and eucalyptus, as Pizzani invokes the histories of flora both native and introduced to South America. Smaller works were produced during a residency at El Cercado, Venezuela, where pre-Hispanic ceramic traditions are still practised. In an open bonfire kiln, the clay is scorched by the rising smoke, its black markings embodying the spirit of the community.

About Lucía Pizzani

Lucía Pizzani (b. 1975, Caracas, Venezuela) has lived and worked in London since 2007. Her work is held in public collections including Tate, Colleción Patricia Phelps de Cisneros, and the Essex Collection for Art from Latin America (ESCALA). Pizzani’s presentation at Frieze London coincides with the publication of her first monograph.

Lucía Pizzani is showing with Cecilia Brunson Projects at Frieze London 2024.

Further Information

Frieze London and Frieze Masters 2024, The Regent’s Park, 9 – 13 October 2024.

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^{Main Image: Lucía Pizzani, ‘Rites, Seeds and Refuge’, 2024, exhibition view. Courtesy: the artist and Cecilia Brunson Projects. Photo: Andy Keate}