Clay Art Tradition Thrives in Catalonia's Baix Empordà

The Baix Empordà region in Catalonia remains the primary center for clay artisans, particularly around the town of La Bisbal. This area, situated at the base of the Gavarres massif, hosts the largest community of clay craftsmen in the region.

Artisan Josep Matés has been immersed in this tradition for 25 years, working with the distinctive red mud of the area. He views his craft as a vital part of his existence, providing meaning across territorial, cultural, and aesthetic dimensions. Matés emphasizes that his work is not accidental, drawing a direct line from the practices of ancient civilizations to his own workshop.

The Baix Empordà region, located in the province of Girona, serves as the geographical and cultural heart of Catalonia's clay industry. Nestled at the feet of the Gavarres massif, this area has cultivated a reputation as the epicenter for clay artisans. It is here, specifically centered in La Bisbal, that the largest community of craftsmen dedicated to the red mud can be found.

This concentration of talent is not a recent development but the result of a deep-rooted tradition. The local craft focuses on the firing of the proverbial red clay, a material that defines the region's aesthetic output. The geography of the area provides both the raw material and the inspiration for generations of artisans who have turned this local resource into a recognized art form.

For Josep Matés, clay is more than just a material; it is the foundation of his existence. "Es mi faena y mi vida" (It is my job and my life), he states, reflecting on a career that spans a quarter of a century. Matés submerged his hands into the red mud of the Baix Empordà 25 years ago and has remained connected to it ever since.

He attributes a profound sense of purpose to his work, describing it as what gives him meaning in multiple dimensions: territorial, cultural, patrimonial, technological, and aesthetic. This personal connection highlights the artisan's role not merely as a producer, but as a guardian of local heritage.

Matés views his work as part of a continuous historical lineage rather than an isolated practice. He asserts that the methods used by ancient peoples were intentional and purposeful. "What the Iberians did was not casual, what the Romans did was not casual and what I do, neither," Matés explains.

This perspective suggests that the craft carries an inherent validity that has persisted through thousands of years. By connecting his modern workshop to the Iberians and Romans, Matés underscores the timeless nature of the clay tradition in Catalonia. The survival of the craft implies a fundamental value that transcends specific eras.