The System Action Questionnaire: Sophie Aguilera, artist and sculptor

• Let's start from the beginning... How did you start working with ceramics?

I always wanted to pursue a creative career. I studied Fine Arts and initially gravitated toward set design and art direction. I worked for several years as a wardrobe and props assistant on theater productions. I was also fortunate enough to
Collaborate with such renowned companies as Dagoll Dagom, where I learned
lot.

In the midst of a financial crisis and for personal reasons, I moved to Madrid. I didn't have a job at the time, so I started going to my uncle's studio, who are professional ceramists. Until then, I had worked with clay, but I was unfamiliar with the craft.

It was then that I discovered a versatile and noble material that allows me endless aesthetic and creative options. Ceramics is demanding and requires commitment; it's a long-distance race that teaches you patience but also nourishes your curiosity. It's also a material of the trade, so I share my career and knowledge with artisans and potters, thus distancing it from the superficiality and big egos of contemporary art. Ceramics requires humility, and I like that.

• What inspires you when creating your pieces? Do you have a favorite piece?

My favorite piece is always the one that's yet to come, because it embodies possibility, and that's always exciting. I think inspiration and creativity are trained and cultivated every day. One's work is deeply connected to observation and the aesthetic background each person has built: their personal history, their experiences, their affections and disaffections.

All of this becomes creative material, a particular way of seeing and interpreting the world. In my case, a book, a poem, a captivating image, or a memory can inspire me.

• What is a typical day like in your studio?

I'm not a big morning person, so I usually arrive at the studio between 10 and 11 a.m. I start by planning the day's tasks, which can vary between administrative work, answering clients, producing artwork, or more physical work, such as loading and unloading kilns or recycling clay. Ceramics' timing is very specific, so each stage requires its own rhythm. One thing I religiously do when I leave the studio is leave everything clean and tidy.

Nothing gives me more pleasure than coming into a clean, organized space where I can begin to work better. My love of space is fundamental to my creative process.

• What are you working on now or what is your next project?

I'm currently working on a collection of new pieces for two exhibitions this fall. One of them will be in Paris, which I'm very excited about.

• Is there any artist or movement that has particularly influenced you?

There are many artists who inspire me and have influenced my career, but those who motivate and influence me the most are my own colleagues. I always try to surround myself with people whose work I admire and whose talent I deeply value. Observing how they work, their perseverance, and the dedication they put into each project drives me to continually improve and grow as an artist. I believe that interacting and interacting with other creators are essential to enriching the creative process and keeping my motivation for my work alive.

This is a difficult career, full of challenges and frustrations, and sharing the experience with other artists helps a lot to face them and find mutual support along the way.

• What would you like someone to feel when they see one of your pieces for the first time?

I would like to contribute to your aesthetic experience. I hope my work provokes a sensitive connection, sparks curiosity, or sparks conversation. Beauty is central to my practice, not as something superficial, but as a form of resonance, an encounter between the work and the viewer.

Common questions

• Have you had any embarrassing experiences due to your choice of outfit?

Nothing comes to mind right now. What happens to me often is that I'm always covered in mud and dust, but I have no choice but to live with it. Sometimes I miss having a job where I can dress smart, but that's not the case. I always have to go to the workshop comfortably and wear clothes that can get dirty.

• What is the oldest piece of clothing you own that you haven't thrown away yet?

A turquoise sequin top from the 70s. It's an item of clothing that belonged to my mother and I love it.

• A style with which you feel (very) identified

I don't know if I have a defined style. I love color, floral prints, and natural fabrics like linen or cotton. For me, the important thing is that the pieces are well-made, with quality materials and attention to detail. I believe style is that blend of shape, color, and texture that makes something look unique and, at the same time, works well for everyday wear. I also believe that style is a tangible manifestation of personal identity, a visual language through which the essence of the individual is communicated in a subtle but powerful way.

• What changes would you like to see in the fashion industry? Are you someone who analyzes what you buy, or do you give in to fast fashion?

I'm increasingly analyzing what I buy. I'm interested in fashion that has honest processes behind it, that respects time and materials. As a ceramist, I value handmade and durable items. I love things well made.

As for the industry, I would like to see more transparency and less pressure to change clothes every season. Important legislative changes are coming regarding the recycling of all the industrial waste produced by the sector, and I believe this will be a significant paradigm shift. I believe we will see creative research into new sustainable materials that will open up fascinating avenues for transforming waste into valuable resources, driving a more responsible and environmentally friendly industry.

• What do you wear, for example, to go to the workshop?

Something comfortable that I don't mind getting dirty. Usually loose pants, a basic T-shirt, and a linen apron.

• Weekend or vacation: Do you prefer to drive or be driven?

Take me! I'm one of those who got a major driver's license and I don't like driving very much.

• When you go on a trip: Do you stay in a hotel or an apartment?

On principle, I prefer to stay in a hotel. Living in Barcelona, I've witnessed firsthand the housing tension that tourist apartments cause, so I try to avoid them whenever I travel.