This conversation between ceramic artist Fernando Casasempere and students from Andover College, ruminates on the nature of ceramics, addressing its properties as a ‘living material’. It also tackles subjects such as climate change, the power of taking risks in art and the importance of sharing food and conversation! 

'After studying both ceramics and sculpture in Barcelona, Casasempere returned to his birthplace, Santiago, where he consolidated his studies by working as a ceramics sculptor. After exhibiting extensively, both in Chile and North America, his work began to feature in exhibitions overseas. He then moved to London in 1997, bringing with him over twelve tonnes of his own mixtures of clay, a feat confirming his long-standing obsession with identity and his deep-seated concern for the environment. The Chilean landscape and Pre-Colombian background of the Latin world are ever present in his sculptures and his most recent works combine these influences with the cityscapes and inspirations that London has offered him.

His seven-metre long installation for the New Art Centre, 'Back to the Earth', 2005, examines the artist's interest in ecology and geology and consists of individual ceramic elements that jut out of the earth, exposing its inner core'  (source, New Art Centre)


The Roche Court Educational Trust works with over 6,000 children, young people and specialist groups annually, at both the Sculpture Park and elsewhere. We encourage an exploration of modern and contemporary art through our specialist looking, thinking & speaking approach.

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To find out more about Fernando Casasempere, follow this link: www.fernandocasasempere.com

Thanks to: Dan Coggins and Zach James for co-producing this episode. Thanks also to the New Art Centre and especially, Fernando Casasempere, for generously giving his time. 

This podcast has been generously funded by RSA Catalyst Award and The Arts Society Wessex.

Photo credit: Fernando casasempere, Back to the Earth, 2005, New Art Centre