Life & Work with Teresa Pensel of Other / Not Applicable

Today we’d like to introduce you to Teresa Pensel.

Hi teresa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Since I was very young, I have been creating with my hands. My grandmother taught me how to knit and sew, and I spent my childhood afternoons surrounded by wool and fabric scraps in her living room. Art was deeply rooted in my family—cinema, theater, and fine art exhibitions were a constant backdrop to my upbringing.

Born and raised in Buenos Aires—a vibrant cultural hub and a crossroads for extraordinary talent from around the world—exploring different artistic expressions came naturally to me. I have also drawn deep inspiration from the rich heritage of the indigenous peoples of our region, whose connection to earth and materiality has profoundly influenced my practice.

Although ceramics had always called to me, it took several years before I embraced it as my core path. I initially earned my degree in Apparel Design and spent twenty years running my own independent clothing brand. During that time, pottery was my sanctuary—a playful, tactile space to unwind and experiment.

Almost organically, I began assembling a small collection of ceramic vessels. Encouraged by my sisters, who have always been a pillar of support, I presented the pieces to local interior design studios. To my complete surprise, the entire collection sold out immediately. Soon, commissions began pouring in, and as my client base expanded, I made the decision to step away from fashion and devote myself entirely to my ceramic studio.

Since 2018, this journey has unfolded in wonderful ways. I enrolled in the Professional Ceramics Program at IMCA (Municipal Institute of Ceramics of Avellaneda), began submitting my work to juried exhibitions—earning my first national awards—and started teaching ceramic workshops both in person and online, fostering an inspiring community of creative women.

Today, I consider myself a multidisciplinary artist. Alongside clay, I work with hand embroidery, textiles, painting, and visual storytelling through photography and video. To expand my visual language and bridge the gap between fine craft and communication, I am currently in my third year of a Graphic Design degree. Every discipline I explore ultimately feeds into my ceramics, creating objects that carry history, intention, and a sense of stillness.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped the depth of my work and my resilience as an independent creator.Leaving behind a twenty-year career in fashion design to fully embrace ceramics was an enormous leap into the unknown. Moving away from a familiar, established industry meant starting from scratch in a medium with zero shortcuts. Unlike textiles, working with clay and fire demands patience, absolute surrender to uncertainty, and continuous trial and error—learning to embrace kiln losses, fragile drying stages, and raw material harvesting as teachers rather than setbacks. Another major hurdle was navigating the delicate balance between artistic authenticity and running a viable studio. As an independent artisan handling everything from sourcing local clays, formulation, hand-building, and wood-firing to logistics, international shipping, and digital communication, burnout is an ever-present risk. Shifting from localized sales in Buenos Aires to managing international clientele across the United States and Europe brought steep logistical and regulatory learning curves. Time management and balancing multiple roles has also been a constant test. Juggling rigorous academic training at the Municipal Institute of Ceramics (IMCA), pursuing a degree in Graphic Design, leading workshops for creative women, and fulfilling custom commissions requires relentless discipline. When teaching in-person workshops became impossible to scale without sacrificing studio production, I had to completely reinvent my workflow, pivoting toward developing online educational platforms to protect my studio time. Ultimately, these struggles taught me that vulnerability and friction are essential to the creative process. The cracks, the textures, and the unpredictable nature of fire reflect the very reality of navigating life as an artist.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a multidisciplinary visual artist and ceramic designer specializing in raw, textured stoneware, handcrafted sculptural vessels, and collectible art objects. My practice is rooted in traditional hand-building techniques, custom clay body formulation, and the sourcing of regional clays and minerals. I frequently integrate tactile surface treatments, artisanal engobes, and handwoven natural fibers directly into the ceramic forms. All of my pieces are fired in electric kilns, where I carefully control the temperature cycles to bring strength, permanence, and depth to the stoneware. What sets my work apart is the dialogue between raw materiality, textile sensibility, and contemporary form. Coming from a background in apparel design, I approach each vessel not merely as a decorative container, but as an intimate sculpture defined by volume, organic tension, and tactile emotion. Each piece invites physical touch and an appreciation for the material in its purest, most honest state. I am known for embracing unglazed, rugged textures, distinct clay bodies like dark horse stoneware, and earthy terracotta palettes that highlight the raw qualities of the clay. Rather than striving for industrial perfection, my work honors the organic traces of the maker’s hands and the quiet pace of thoughtful craftsmanship. What I am most proud of is the recognition my work has earned within the ceramic art community—receiving national salon awards, including second place at the National Biennial of Ceramic Art and municipal honors in Argentina. Beyond the accolades, I take immense pride in fostering community: sharing the craft through workshops with inspiring women, expanding my presence into international galleries, and seeing my sculptures find homes where they invite people to pause and reconnect with the quiet beauty of the earth.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Something very meaningful and deeply rooted in my daily practice is that I share my studio space with my son, who is on the autism spectrum. In addition to being an extraordinarily talented illustrator, we share the rhythm of the studio together, where I teach him the ceramic craft and the language of working with raw clay. This shared journey not only enriches our daily life, but also turns the studio into a sanctuary of focus, patience, and mutual growth, constantly reminding me that art is, above all, a profound tool for connection and inclusion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://terepensel.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terepensel/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tersapensel/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerePensel-q4q