TONI DE JESUS

Dominique Corlett speaks to ceramicist Toni de Jesus about flowers, identity and finding a way to express himself through clay

- Dominique Corlett

It's only been eight years since ceramicist Toni de Jesus graduated from his ceramics degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University. But, when it comes to career highlights, he's already amassed an impressive list of pinch-me moments. From his first British Ceramics Biennale in 2019, where he won the Fresh Talent award, to being picked up four years later by a New York gallery - and showing with them at Design Miami - to an exhibition with Homo Faber in Venice, and appearing on the pages of American Vogue in 2024, the accolades keep rolling in.

This September, following a solo show that opened in Portugal and has just toured Wales, Toni will add another achievement to his list, with his first solo show in New York. Held in collaboration with the J. Lohmann Gallery, which specialises in contemporary decorative arts and design, Roots of Porcelain will showcase a new collection of the porcelain floral vessels for which he is known.

Toni's current works, which include bowls, vases and urns, feature bright white porcelain bodies intricately decorated with flowers, glazed to a high shine and often finished with gold. Through these characteristics they reference the fine historic porcelain of the likes of Meissen, Sèvres, Coalport and Chelsea. However, in stark contrast to those restrained and flawless wares, Toni’s hand-coiled pots are lively, imperfect, and bear the marks of the potter's touch.