We visited Susana Perpétua's Oficina d'Art and learnt a little more about the history of this renowned ceramist from Alto Alentejo.
Susana, a Ribatejo woman from Santarém, came to the Alentejo with her family at just three months old, due to her father's professional obligations, and ended up staying and adopting the region as her homeland.
Her entire adolescence was spent in the village of Comenda and at the age of 17, by choice, she left the Alentejo to work. As she entered the labour market at a very young age, she ended up working in many different areas, from hotels to working with children.
From a very early age, Susana showed an interest in the arts and even as a little girl she only wanted to paint, quickly replacing her school books with a box of coloured pencils and a few sheets of paper.
Susana confessed to us that she had always wanted to be an artist without studying, that is to say, her mum had often urged her to study even though she wanted to be an artist, but Susana's irreverence always spoke louder and she managed to bring water to her mill.
After a few years working abroad, in 1998 he returned to the Alentejo, more specifically to the town of Crato, and finally decided to take a ceramics course in Flor de Rosa at the renowned Pottery School. He learnt all about clay at this school, but after the course he was unable to work in this area because at the time he was afraid to take risks.
But the bug was there and he returned to the Pottery School where he began working on the Flor da Rosa clay and where he stayed for more than 20 years.
She learnt everything there was to learn, started teaching and trained many people in this art that currently has few followers and is tending to disappear, but which was once extremely important for the region. Susana says that she worked at this school during its heyday. From this school came pieces of all shapes and sizes, from pots, pitchers, pans, roasters, bowls and casseroles, among others, which enriched restaurants and the national gastronomy due to their ability to enhance the flavours and tastes of food.
Not wanting to give up and in an attempt to perpetuate this art, Susana created and opened her own atelier in the village of Gáfete in 2022, where she now lives and finally decided to go it alone.
Susana is already a well-recognised ceramist and has a wide range of clients not only here, but also in other corners of the world.
Ceramics is her passion and Susana can't see herself doing anything else but this art, which she hopes to carry on with for the rest of her life.
When asked what gives her the most pleasure in her craft, she told us that she loves painting the Alentejo, doesn't like repeating pieces and loves moulding.
The art of teaching has been in her blood since the days when she taught at the Flor da Rosa Pottery School and she currently gives training courses at senior universities (an audience she admires greatly and has a special affection for), gives individual lessons and organises workshops.
Susana warns of the need to continue this art and challenges the younger generation to get their hands dirty and experience the potential of the craft.
It was a pleasure to spend time with this ceramicist, to get to know her story and her art more closely and we couldn't resist bringing you some pieces that we're going to share with you here on the site and that you can buy if you're as enamoured as we are!
If you want to have an experience with Susana Perpétua, here are her contact details.
Susana Perpétua
Tel +351 966 355 917
Cold cuts
Ceramic coasters with Alentejo motifs, ideal for the table with cheeses, sausages, savouries, etc. A beautiful and distinctive piece that will make all the difference on a typical Portuguese table. The bases are handmade by ceramist Susana Perpétua and produced to order.
Set of crossbars
Embossed ceramic platters, ideal for serving at the table with starters, main courses or side dishes. An elegant set that will add a special sparkle to Portuguese plates and tables.
The platters are handmade by ceramist Susana Perpétua and produced to order.
Price for a set of 3 sleepers
Size: 20cm/25cm/30cm
