José Carvalho

José Carvalho · Ceramic Artist

Biography

José Carvalho is a Portuguese ceramic artist whose work explores the relationship between function, material and form. Working from his studio in Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra, Portugal, he creates sculptural, decorative and functional ceramics for private collectors, designers, architects and selected venues internationally.

José Carvalho behind a large hand-thrown ceramic vessel
José Carvalho · Ceramic artist

01 / Biography

José Carvalho is a Portuguese ceramic artist based in Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra, on Portugal’s Atlantic coast. Born in Vizela, in the north of Portugal, he moved to London in 2006, where he spent almost two decades developing his ceramic practice before returning to Portugal in 2026 to establish his current studio.

His work explores the relationship between sculptural, decorative and functional form, drawing inspiration from Japanese and Korean ceramic traditions, architectural geometry, natural materials and quiet imperfection. Through the use of volcanic glazes, oxides and recycled natural materials, each piece develops its own distinctive texture and surface while remaining rooted in everyday use.

José has exhibited extensively in London, including solo exhibitions at The Ice House Gallery, Chelsea Physic Garden in Holland Park and Hepsibah Gallery. In 2017, he received awards for Best Use of Surface and Glaze from CR Magazine and Best in Show, awarded by the visiting public.

His work has been acquired by private collectors internationally and commissioned by hotels, designers, architects and selected clients, including Heckfield Place, Soho House, Ralph Lauren, Conran and Partners, Colefax & Fowler, Molteni&C Dada, Château de Ballon, Es Bec d’Aguila and Son Blanc Hotel. In the past, José has collaborated with designers such as Ben Thompson, Hannah Benton, Tom Aikens and Hannah Cork.

His ceramics have also been featured in international publications including Elle Decoration UK, Elle Decor Italia, Arquitectura y Diseño, Elle France, Milk Magazine, Elle Country, London Evening Standard, London Potters Association and in ceramics books and publications.

Today, José works from his studio in Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra, where he continues to develop new collections of functional and sculptural ceramics.

02 / Affiliations

Professional
Memberships

  • Homo Faber Guide — For Creativity and Craftsmanship by the Michelangelo Foundation
  • The Craft Potters Association
  • London Potters
  • AAH London

03 / Recognition

Awards

  1. Award of Merit in Recognition of Outstanding Contribution to the Arts, Municipality of Vizela, Portugal
  2. Best Use of Surface and Glaze, CR Magazine
  3. Best in Show, Visitors’ Choice Award

04 / Exhibitions

Selected solo exhibitions

  1. Artists at Home, London, UK
  2. Artists at Home, London, UK
  3. Artists at Home, London, UK
  4. Artists at Home, London, UK
  5. Artists at Home, London, UK
  6. The Ice House Gallery, Holland Park, London, UK
  7. Artists at Home, London, UK
  8. Artists at Home, London, UK
  9. Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UK
  10. Artists at Home, London, UK
  11. Hepsibah Gallery, London, UK
  12. Artists at Home, London, UK
  13. Hepsibah Gallery, London, UK

05 / Exhibitions

Selected group exhibitions

  1. Morley Gallery, London, UK
  2. AOS Kindred Studios, London, UK

06 / Press

Publications

  • Elle Decoration UK
  • Elle Decor Italia
  • Elle France
  • Elle Country
  • Milk Magazine
  • Arquitectura y Diseño
  • Revista Saber Viver
  • Revista Cristina
  • London Evening Standard
  • London Potters Association
  • Selected ceramics books and publications

07 / Selected work

Collections
& commissions

Selected Venues

  • Heckfield Place, Hampshire, UK
  • Soho House
  • Château de Ballon, France
  • Es Bec d’Aguila, Menorca, Spain
  • Son Blanc Hotel, Menorca, Spain

Interior Design & Architecture

  • Conran and Partners
  • Colefax & Fowler
  • Molteni&C Dada
  • bwtlondon Designers
  • Hannah Cork Interiors

Selected Collaborations

  • Ralph Lauren
  • Ben Thompson
  • Tom Aikens

Private Collections

Works held in private collections throughout the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Spain, the United States, South Africa, Norway and Japan.

08 / Teaching

Knowledge shared
through making.

Alongside his studio practice, José has extensive experience teaching ceramics through schools, private tuition and his own studio programme.

2019–2025

Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School

Ceramics Tutor · London, UK

Developed and delivered ceramics programmes for primary school pupils, introducing hand-building, and surface decoration techniques in a creative learning environment.

2018–2023

Private Tuition

Students from St Paul’s Girls’ School, St Paul’s Boys’ School, Bute House Prep. School · London, UK

Provided private ceramics tuition tailored to each student’s experience, helping them develop technical skills, creativity and confidence in working with clay.

2017–2025

Founder & Tutor — West London Studio and Gallery

Designed and delivered private tuition, small-group workshops and ceramic programmes for adults and children from his West London studio.

09 / Training

Ceramics
education

  1. Ceramics training with master potter Rob Sollis
  2. Ceramics Course, Masbro College, London
  3. Summer Ceramics Course, Masbro College, London
  4. Ceramics Course, Sands End College, London

10 / Studio

Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra,
Portugal.

José Carvalho works from his studio in Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra, Portugal, where he develops new collections of functional and sculptural ceramics.

Discover the studio