Ceramics and activism: the work of Roberto Lugo

A few weeks ago, reading CRAFTS No. 273 (July/August 2018), I discovered the work of Roberto Lugo. This artist, born in Philadelphia, creates pots at the intersection of art and politics. 

"The objects I create speak of personal subjects – my experiences with obesity, racism, and class division. I use the associations with ceramic material and forms of pottery, such as elite fine china and porcelain, to discuss these issues with humour and irony." - Roberto Lugo [1]

In 2015, he gave a fascinating talk at the NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts) conference where he explained how his life experiences shape his art. His goal, he explains, isn't to make art, it is about helping each other out and having empathy. With his intricate paintings, he is hoping that people will take a closer look, and start questioning things.

Ceramics, he says, is usually associated with high society. Using traditional techniques to tell his life story, he builds a bridge between those two worlds: the gangsters and the elite ; the oppressed and the privileged.
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​To take his commitment a step further, he joined the board of trustees at Haystack Mountain school of Crafts so that he could influence decisions from the inside. He also started giving presentations to educate people and share his journey. Earlier this year, he curated the THEY exhibition at the Clay Art Centre in New York that gave a space to the marginalised and underrepresented. 

There is something highly refreshing in seeing people in the arts and crafts trying to make social changes happen and better the world in those times of turmoil.

[1] https://artaxis.org/roberto-lugo/