José Carvalho
José Carvalho’s timber ceramics studio among stone pines in Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra

Aldeia do Meco · Sesimbra

Studio

A place to create.

José Carvalho’s studio is located in Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra, surrounded by open landscape, stone pines and the Atlantic coast.

01 / Studio

Space, light
and calm.

After almost two decades in London, José returned to Portugal in 2026 to establish a new studio in Aldeia do Meco, near Sesimbra.

Set within a quiet rural landscape and just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean, the studio provides the space, light and calm needed to develop new work. The studio has large glazed openings, creating a close connection between the interior, the surrounding fields and the pine trees.

The studio is both a working space and a place for conversation, experimentation and focused making.

02 / The place

Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra

The studio sits in a rural setting shaped by sandy soil, native planting and mature stone pines. Its proximity to the sea, changing light and surrounding landscape have become an important part of José’s daily practice.

The location offers a slower rhythm and a direct connection with natural materials and surroundings.

The studio set among mature stone pines and sandy ground in Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra
Timber studio with open glazed doors and pottery wheels facing the landscape
Stone pines and sandy landscape surrounding José Carvalho’s studio in Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra

03 / The studio

Made for
creating.

The studio combines generous natural light with flexible working areas for throwing, hand-building, glazing and the development of larger sculptural pieces.

Large windows and doors open the building to the landscape, while the restrained interior keeps the focus on clay, tools and work in progress.

Handmade brushes and wooden studio tools hanging within the ceramics studio
A row of well-used wooden pottery tools on the studio wall
Glaze brushes resting on a studio work surface

04 / Practice

Process

José’s practice moves between sculptural, decorative and functional ceramic forms. Each piece begins with close attention to proportion, balance and surface.

His work is developed through wheel throwing, hand-building and careful experimentation with volcanic glazes, oxides and recycled natural materials. Firing is treated as an active part of the process, allowing heat, material and chance to shape the final surface.

José refining the rim of a large ceramic vessel on the pottery wheel
José preparing a piece of clay between his hands
José wedging clay on a studio work surface
José pulling clay upwards on the pottery wheel
José opening and shaping a ceramic form on the wheel
José shaping the rim of a freshly thrown vessel
José trimming the rim of a ceramic vessel with a fine tool
José refining the foot of a ceramic vessel on the wheel
José shaping a wide bowl at the pottery wheel
A flame passing across a ceramic bowl during the making process
A textured ceramic vessel positioned inside the kiln

05 / Material

Material and
landscape

The studio’s surroundings inform both the forms and surfaces of José’s work. Sandy ground, coastal vegetation, weathered stone, pine bark and the changing colours of the landscape all contribute to an evolving visual language.

Rather than reproducing nature directly, José translates these observations into texture, proportion and material.

Unfired ceramic bowls, vessels and sculptural forms arranged on studio shelves

06 / By appointment

Studio visits

Studio visits are available by appointment for collectors, designers, architects, galleries and those interested in José’s work.

Arrange a Studio Visit