Cecilia Nigro – “Cuando Me Baje El Alma Al Cuerpo”

Argentinian ceramicist Cecilia Nigro explores the alchemy and intrinsic processes of material metamorphosis. Fragility, morphology, and the almost absence of colour permeate her works.

“Clay remembers everything – every touch, every movement, every moment of heat. Working with it is like having a conversation with the earth itself.” – Cecilia Nigro

Nigro arrived at Awasi Iguazu with a specific mission: to work with local clays and understand how the unique geological conditions of Misiones influence ceramic practices. Her minimalist aesthetic, typically expressed in pure white porcelain, was about to encounter the rich, iron-heavy earth of the rainforest.

Earth Memory

The red clay of Misiones, formed from weathered basalt and rich in iron oxides, presented both challenges and opportunities. Its high iron content meant it fired to deep reds and blacks, a dramatic departure from Nigro’s usual palette.

“At first, I resisted the color,” she admits. “But then I realized I was trying to impose my aesthetic on the material instead of listening to what it wanted to become. Once I let go, the work began to flow.”

Metamorphic Forms

Nigro’s pieces from the residency explore themes of transformation and impermanence. She created a series of vessels inspired by seed pods and chrysalises – forms that speak to potential and change. Some pieces were left intentionally fragile, designed to crack or crumble over time.

“In the rainforest, nothing is permanent. Everything is in a constant state of becoming something else. I wanted my work to reflect this.” – Cecilia Nigro

Her experimental firing techniques, using local woods and leaves to create unique surface effects, resulted in pieces that seem to carry the memory of the forest within them. Ash shadows, leaf impressions, and the natural variations in the clay create a dialogue between control and chance.

Nigro’s residency exemplifies how the Awasi Artist Immersion programme challenges artists to step outside their comfort zones, leading to breakthrough moments that reshape their practice.