Bio
Célia Zveibil Brandão is a ceramic artist and educator. She is originally from São Paulo, Brazil, living and working in Toronto since 1990. She holds a degree in Graphic Design from Mackenzie University in São Paulo. Brandão has been creating functional and sculptural forms for the past 30 years. Known for her wood-fired pieces, Brandão incorporates a variety of techniques into her work. She runs the Ceramic Studio at the Miles Nadal Community Center since 1995 in addition to teaching at other studios.
Winner of multiple awards, Brandão is published in three 500 series Lark Book publications and several international Ceramic Magazines. She has exhibited in Canada, USA, and her native Brazil.
Artist Statement
I feel the need to create, and clay is my material of choice. It is the perfect medium to express myself through design with a tactile experience.
Ceramics can be a slow and complex process to create from the beginning to the end, and it is addictive. I love the challenges that it presents me. There is something magical about the surprises I get every time I open a kiln.
Following my intuition and curiosity I pay close attention to details in nature and in my surroundings. Art and History inspires me as well to form innovative ideas.
I am part of a group of women who have been addictively wood firing together two Cross-Draft Catenary Arch kilns for the past 18 years. We call ourselves Women Who Wood. This experience has led to close friendships and a sharing of knowledge as well as growth in our work.
Teaching ceramics is an inspiration and contributes to my development as an artist. I feel lucky to be part of such a great community of Ceramic Artists like the one I found in Canada.