JOYA A.i.R
A two week residency in the mountains of Southern Spain.
Joya: AiR is a landmark international, interdisciplinary arts residency grounded in the intersection of creative practice, ecological inquiry, and sustainable cultural engagement. Situated within an off‑grid, climate‑positive environment in rural Andalucía, the residency fosters an intellectually rigorous and generative context where artists, writers, and researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds can deepen their practice, expand critical perspectives, and engage collaboratively with ecological and cultural challenges.
“When I first arrived at JOYA, the flowers and grasses were in full swing. A sprawling green sea over the hills, dotted with red poppies and Spanish chamomile. It rained my first evening which was great; that meant I’d be able to find the wild clay easily by searching for the cracked silky surface as the sun slowly dried everything out. I spent my first three or four days exploring the space and collecting wild clay, going out in the mornings with a bucket and a little shovel. I’d saturate what clay I’d found with the water collected from the shower (growing up on a farm I knew this trick instantly, don’t want to waste any precious water!). I’d leave that to slake for a bit before mixing and sieving it, picking out the larger rocks, stones and organic matter. I’d leave the sieved liquid clay in the big buckets for a few hours out in the sun to try help evaporate some water, before pouring it into a cotton sack to dry out for a day or so. I wasn’t particularly patient when it came to the first couple batches, I really wanted to start making!!! I eventually got this hanging clay out onto a timber board to dry out a little more in the sun before I began wedging it. I finally had enough clay to start making.
I was determined to build big during this residency, push my limits with clay with out the limitations of a kiln or having to fire at all. I was also interested in the contrasting landscapes I found my self in, these huge beautiful mountains in contrast to the tiny plants, grasses and weeds I’d be walking through every day. I was particularly inspired by all the plants with thorns and spikes, vegetation reminiscent of where I grew up in Australia. Dry landscape where all living creatures have evolved to not only survive but thrive on little to no water in the summer months. By the end of my two weeks at JOYA, I had created five thistle like clay sculptures that sat together as a macro forest, speculative characters from a future where the flora pushes its limits in order to defend them selves. JOYA is an incredibly special place, a comfortable and nurturing space to be inspired by absolutely everything nature has to offer.”
