Claudia Barreira
Fracture with Mica is part of the award-winning series Terra Brasilis, rooted in the artist’s memories of her country, Brazil. Infused with mica, the unglazed clay body radiates a natural glow, echoing the light-filled mountains of her town, Rio de Janeiro. When the mineral-flecked surface catches the light, it mirrors the natural luminescence of the Tropical weather, translating the landscape into a physical, glowing form.
The sculpture’s vertical, tapering silhouette evokes the rugged peaks of a mountain range, mirroring the steep, dramatic rises of the Rio de Janeiro skyline. Its surface is a dense tapestry of hand-formed elements that intentionally celebrate the fissures and "feather-like" textures inherent in weathered geological formations. Through these jagged ridges and crevices, the piece evokes a sense of belonging while paying homage to the ancient land of Brazil, preserving the artist’s memories within the stillness of the clay.