THE KALEOS VASES BY MARTA BONILLA
THE COMMISIONED VASES X KALEOS
From everyday objects to sculptural creations, Marta’s work carries a quiet elegance that invites you to slow down and appreciate the artistry behind each form. Through her ceramics, she captures the essence of natural materials while leaving visible traces of the creative process, making every object unique and full of character.
When KALEOS met Marta Bonilla, the connection felt natural and effortless. Rooted in the same city, we share a common language of design, detail, and creative freedom. This collaboration was born from mutual admiration and a desire to merge our worlds into something tangible. Bringing together eyewear and ceramics, we explored how two different disciplines can speak the same aesthetic language. In this conversation, we reflect on that encounter, the creative exchange behind it, and what happens when visions align.
“I'm not looking for perfection of form, but I do try to ensure that any regularities that may occur always favor the piece”
K
How did you start your career as a ceramist?
MB
I was curious to try my hand at ceramics, I wanted to get away from the comfort of working in a job for many years, and I took advantage of that moment to dedicate time to the production of pieces and to take different courses related to shaping and the world of glazes. I remember leaving the course and continuing to produce pieces at home, that was the way to become familiar with the material and discover my style. Those pieces that I was making started to work, and I rented them for fashion shoots. Then, once I took out the lamps, I noticed a big change. This led me to professionalize the brand and see how to respond to those orders, which came mainly from the United States, France, and Australia.
K
Do you think the environment in Barcelona influences you as an artist? In which way?
MB
Barcelona is a great and very diverse city, I walk around the city centre quite a lot, and it's impossible not to notice the richness of its facades, full of details, and the originality of the decoration of some buildings. It is fantastic to see how the imagination has been carried out and how many of these facades refer to elements of nature. It is interesting to see how ceramics, or other materials, are integrated into them.
K
How does your creative process work? Any routine or essential steps?
MB
In this particular case, after our meeting and listening to what you needed and getting to know your brand from the inside, it was immediately clear to me that pieces with these characteristics would look great for that space, and I really wanted to create these pieces. The first step was to start drawing, to create that composition on paper, which later during the creation process has been varying in some pieces and taking on its own personality. That's usually the way I work.
K
What was the inspiration (or inspirations) behind the creation of these vases commissioned for KALEOS?
MB
I wanted to create vases that were unconventional and had a lot of strength and presence on the table. I wanted to create something rough but in the right measure and give the pieces a brutalist and geometric feel. Peter Schlesinger's work fascinates me, as does that of Philip Eglin.
K
Of the six vases created for KALEOS... Do you have a favorite?
MB
I don't think there is a favorite, as I think they complement each other very well.
K
What is your relationship with shape?
MB
In ceramics, shape and clay always go hand in hand, it's something I'm always playing with, always looking for the ideal shape for each piece, and I'm also quite a perfectionist, if I'm not convinced I repeat again.
K
Any future goals or professional projects you would like to share with us?
MB
Right now I'm creating new designs for a new collection, using more color and glaze, which I really want to do, but it takes a long time to find the colors. And I'm designing new pieces for a shop opening in the next few months in Los Angeles. I really enjoy working for clients who trust in your work and give you a lot of freedom to work, as is the case with KALEOS too. I've really enjoyed doing this collaboration, thank you!
