Santi Saucedo, an Atlanta ceramic artist, creates contemporary spiritual figurines that draw inspiration from diverse cultural influences.
Artist: Born in Mexico City, Saucedo moved to and around the United States at a young age. He spent most of his youth in northern Virginia, and later, in Pasadena, CA.
Growing up in an artistic family influenced Saucedo, who went on to study graphic design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), graduating from the Savannah campus in 2007.
Since then, his career has taken him back and forth between Atlanta and New York. Now, with a family, Saucedo is putting down permanent roots in Atlanta.
Company/studio: Santi Saucedo, based in Atlanta, has been practicing ceramics since 2012. But he has only been exhibiting his work in 2022. He works out of a home studio in Dearborn Park near Decatur, GA.
In the beginning: Saucedo, a creative director by profession, specializes in technical, digital graphic design. At one point, he taught software at Miami Ad School in Brooklyn.
But as his career progressed, Saucedo found that digital media wasn’t fully satisfying his creative needs. He wanted something more hands-on.
Given his family background, returning to fine arts felt like a natural way to reconnect with his creative side. In 2012, he began taking ceramics classes
Since then, Saucedo steadily developed his skills, starting with functional pieces and traditional hand-building techniques. A few years ago, he dove deeper into figurative sculpture.
Art & materials: Small, hand built stoneware figurines with glaze, plus real gold and silver ($150 for smaller pieces). Also larger figurines with either more detail or more complicated glazes ($800 to $1,000).
The popular figurines are similar to ancient religious or votive statues.
“I think about their essence and spirituality more than their appearance,” said Saucedo. “Each figure represents an intangible theme for me: concepts like brotherhood, worry, fertility, love or anxiety.”
Describe your work: Aesthetically, Saucedo says his work is shaped by contemporary ceramics and a fascination with experimental glazes, which lends each piece unique surface qualities.
“I’m passionate about the science and craft of ceramics,” said Saucedo.
Favorite or must-have tools: Because working with clay feels so natural and satisfying, he rarely worries about specific tools. He just reaches for whatever is nearby.
Ironically, Saucedo has received countless tools as gifts over the years, yet he only keeps a dozen or so practical favorites within arm’s reach.
These tools sit in a beautiful mug from Querétaro, Mexico — a piece he loves but doesn’t drink from.
Inspirations:
- The sophisticated craftsmanship of the Moche, Inca, and Aztec civilizations to the more primal, expressive forms of Paleolithic European artifacts.
- Contemporary work of ceramicists like Brian Rochefort, Janny Baek, En Iwamura, and Tony Marsh.
“I like to blend historical inspirations with the contemporary to create pieces that feel both timeless and modern,” said Saucedo.
Recent exhibits:
- Group show “Neoteric Artifacts” at Path Museum (pathmuseum.com), Atlanta.
- Group show “Nuestra Creación: Homesick” at Echo Contemporary Gallery (echocontemporary.com), Atlanta.
What’s new: “Little Things” group show at the Swan Coach House Gallery (swangallery.org), Atlanta. Through Jan. 2.
What’s next:
- A collaboration with Atlanta ceramic artist Chris Choi, also known as Mecha Panda, whose unique finishing techniques bring a futuristic polish and flair to his sculptures.
- A collaboration with Bex Layson, an Atlanta potter whose work is personal, humorous, and explores mature themes.
- A new series that will explore different clay bodies and rustic firing techniques.
Where to buy: santisaucedo.com or email the artist: [email protected]
Connect: Instagram: @ santi.s.art
