Ricardo Lopes is a ceramist and potter, developing his work in the area of contemporary ceramics from traditional techniques of forming and decoration, with a particular focus on the potter’s wheel and the composition of glazes. With a degree in Marine Biology and Fisheries, he began his career in ceramics in 1998, in a self-taught way, and later completed the Creative Ceramics Course at CENCAL, in 2004.
Throughout his career, he did internships in Poland and Cape Verde, and worked with the sculptor Jorge Mealha, in Lagos. He participated in several workshops dedicated to special effects glazes and traditional techniques, and was an artist-in-residence in countries such as France, Japan, China and India, deepening his contact with different ceramic cultures.
With a consolidated exhibition career, he has been part of several solo and group exhibitions, in Portugal and abroad. He was also a key player in the recovery of José João Velhote’s old pottery and in the creation of the Oficina do Barro.
Parallel to his artistic practice, he has developed a continuous work in the pedagogical area. He is a trainer at Loulé Criativo, where he has been teaching pottery courses, on a regular basis, since 2018.