Biography
My work is inspired by an analysis of the everyday experience and the observation of nature.
An “accident” with matter may be a starting point, the origin of personal expression that attempts to bring art closer to life.
The object, in this case separated from its function and significance, can take on new meaning.
Whilst working with shapes, enclosing space and playing with its cavities, ideas appear out of some deep recesses and the desire to become reality.
There is the search for new ways, mixing earth time and time again with….? and waiting to see what happens. It´s a process of transformation in which water, earth and fire are totally indispensable.
My project consists of various series:
Anatomies: pieces with porcelain inlays that produce light and shadows to create a white on white landscape that allows the world of dreams to be explored.
Pets: born out of the human need to share life, these pieces twist along and have various legs.
Cove 2: these pieces are born out of the fascination and contemplation of treasures to be found on the sea bed; corals, radiolarios (fossilized skeletons). Unglazed surfaces, no slips, no oxides, the loop-shaped pieces curl and swell, like pillows, natural light creating shadows around them.
Sponges: made of different materials mixed with porcelain, these pieces are born out of investigations into pressure, fragility, hardness and the elasticity of the material.
RAFAELA PAREJA RIBERA (1962)
C/ Cura Sapiña, 30
46114 Vinalesa Valencia (España)
+034 652750410
alafia@alafia.info
www.alafia.info
Education and Training
1981-1984 School of Applied Arts and Crafts (Valencia)Short courses:
2013 Microwave firing, Taller Alafía, Vinalesa, with Pedro Martinez
2012 Photoceramics, Barcelona, with Elí Moreto
2011 Glazes, Taller Alafía, Vinalesa, with Carmen Ruiz
2009 Paper porcelain, Argentona, with Anima Roos
Glazes, Taller Alafía, Vinalesa
Paper kilns, Girona, with Chisato Kurosi
2001 Ceramic instruments, Agost, Alicante
2000 Salt slips, Bisbal Ceramics School, Girona
1993 Ceramic instruments
1992 Sargadelos Technology Seminar and Free School, Lugo
Exhibitions
2014 6th International Ceramics Biennial, Marratxí, Majorca2013 Ciutat Vella, Ibercaja. Valencia
11th International Biennial of Artistic Ceramics, Aveiro, Portugal
7th Ceramics Biennial, El Vendrell, Tarragona
11th International Biennial of Ceramics, Manises
Appointed member of the international academy of Ceramic IAC-Geneve.
Switzerland.
2012 9th Contemporary Ceramics Salon, CÉRAMIQUE 14, Paris
Espai de Art, La Nau, Vinalesa
8th International Albisola City of Art and Ceramics Symposium, Italy
5th International Ceramics Biennial, Marratxí, Majorca
Keramik Panorama, Murten, Switzerland
2011 Tormenta, Terracotta Museum, La Galera, Tarragona
5th International Ceramics Biennial Ciudad de Talavera, Toledo
21st Unicaja Craft Biennial, Jaén
2010 Between Fire and Water, Catalan Ceramics Association, Barcelona
Of Earth and Fire: the Adventure of European Ceramics in Limoges, France
2009 10th Sculpture Biennial José María Raussel, Meliana, Valencia
9th International Biennial of Artistic Ceramics, Alveiro, Portugal
6th Ceramics Biennial, El Vendrell, Tarragona
The Anatomy of an Idea, Dols Ceramists, Ibiza
Ceramics:Infinite Answers, Ceramics Museum, Valencia
Udefesa Mural Competition. L´Alcora
2008 1st Artistic Ceramics competition, La Galera, Tarragona
8th International Contemporary Ceramics Competition, Aragon
2nd International Ceramics Biennial, Maratxí, Majorca
ArtX 15, Alcora
Clay Craft Competition, Ibiza
Solidaria; artists for Sahara, La Nau, Valencia.
2007 En Zen Didas, Sala Vencill D´Art La Llontgeta, Valencia
Anatomies, European Markes Gallery, The Netherlands
From White to Black passing through…, ArteAlcora 2007, Castellón
3rd International Ceramics Biennial Ciudad de Talavera, Toledo
19th Caja Jaén Craft Competition, Jaén
8th International Ceramics Biennial, Manises, Valencia.
2006 5th International Contemporary Ceramics Fair, Zaragoza
1st International Ceramics Biennial, Maratxí, Majorca
26th International Ceramics Contest, Alcora, Castellón
1st International Ceramics Show, Basque Country
14th Ceramics Biennial, Esplugues, Barcelona
10th Sculpture Biennial, Quart de Poblet, Valencia
12th National Ceramics Competition Ciudad de Vallodolid
2005 Townhall Bonrrepos y Mirambell, Valencia
Plataforma Gallery, Valencia.
Light Sculptures, Eskoriatza.
CERCO, Zaragoza
2nd International Ceramics Biennial Ciudad de Talavera, Toledo
1st Arts Biennial Buñol
7th Art Competition/Exhibition Manolo Valdés, Altura, Castellón
7th International Ceramics Biennial, Manises Valencia
24th Ceramics Contest, Mora la Nova, Tarragona
11th National Ceramics Competiton Ciudad de Valladolid
2004 16th Caja de Jaén Craft Award Show
4th International Contemporary Ceramics CERCO, Zaragoza
24th International Ceramics Competition of Alcora, Castellón
3rd Ceramics Competition Martí Royo, Altafulla, Tarragona
4th La Rambla Ceramics and Pottery Festival, Córdoba.
6th Manolo Valdés Art Show, Altura, Castellón
7th National Ceramics Competition Ciudad de Castellón
Municipal Arts Centre, Ademuz, Valencia
10th National Ceramics Competition Ciudad de Vallodolid
2003 3rd International Contemporary Ceramics CERCO, Zaragoza
8th Unique Piece National Competition, Burgos
International Ceramics Biennial Ciudad de Talavera
12th National Creative Ceramics Ciudad de Palencia
32nd Unique Piece Competition, Zamora
64th International Exhibition of Visual Arts, Valdepeñas
Mora la Nova Ceramics Competition, Tarragona
2nd National Creative Ceramics Biennial Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
9th Ciudad de Valladolid National Ceramics Competition
2002 12th Angelina Alos Ceramics Biennial, Espluges de Llobregat , Barcelona
2001 11th National Creative Ceramics Competition, Palencia
1999 19th National Ceramics Competition l´Alcora, Castellón
Awards
2011 1st Prize for Contemporary Ceramics. 5th International Ceramics Biennial, Talavera de la Reina. Toledo2010 1st Ceramics and Earthernware Prize, Vila de la Galera, Tarragona
Honourable Mention 10th International Contemporary Ceramics Competition, CERCO
2009 1st Prize Joan Capdevilla, Sant Julía de Vilatorta. Barcelona
2008 1st Prize Clay Craft Joan Daifa, Ibiza
1st Prize for Design and new Forms, La Rambla, Córdoba
1st Prize in the 15th Ceramics Biennial Angelina Alos. Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona
2007 2nd Prize 19th Caja de Jaén Craft Awards
2nd Prize in the 3rd International Ceramics Biennial of Talavera. Toledo
2006 1st Prize for Clay Craft Joan Daifa, Ibiza
2nd Prize Sculpture Biennial, Quart de Poblet, Valencia
2nd Prize 12th National Ceramics Competition Ciudad de Valladolid
2005 Castellón Municipal Prize for best artistic work in the 7th National Ceramics Competition Ciudad de Castellón
1st Prize for Contemporary Ceramics in the 1st Arts Biennial Buñol, Valencia
2004 1st Prize in the 3rd Biennial Martí Royo, Altafulla, Tarragona
2003 Prize for Ceramics, Unique Piece, Zamora
Honourable Mention 25th Art Competition, Manolo Valdés, Altura, Valencia
2002 1st Prize for contemporary cermamics in the 22nd International Ceramics Competition. L´Alcora, Castellón.