Maria Magdamit Blue Hope

M A R I A

B L U E H O P E

M A G D A M I T

MARIA

MAGDAMIT

Born in the picturesque town of Daraga Albay, home of the majestic Mayon Volcano, Maria Magdamit 's passion for the arts was molded in the halls of the Bicol University School of Arts and Trades before taking up a major in Advertising at the University of Santo Tomas. Maria's love for ceramics and pottery deepened when she chanced upon an exhibiton of Jon Pettyjohn in Makati.

Her stunning creations are categorized as hand build high fired stoneware. Her trademark is her coral-esque treatment of her sculptures which mystifies its viewer into a dreamy colorful layer of brillant and subtle hues almost like a melodic seranade. Maria's art pieces includes her exceedingly popular Diwata Series which channels the love of the divine femine.

She also has her dynamic Children At Play Series which is a nostalgic tribute to childhood activities uniquely provincial and Filipino. Another one of her forrays into the world of stoneware is her delightlful Whimsical Circus which is an animated visualization of fun, balance,and lightness that immerses its viewers in visions of cotton candy, big striped tents as they leave reality momentarily to stand amidst jugglers, elephants, and carnival horse acts.

Eager to inspire the next generation of Philippine artists.

Maria Magdamit teaches at UST Legaspi, Albay. Her goal is to imprint valuable lessons in creativity, hardwork, the joy of expressing yourself and your passion through your artistry on young students and lead them to the path of artisitc expression and self discovery.

Maria Magdamit seeks to be a mentor through her fulfilment of creating a pottery school where creativity is allowed to roam free without the limits of imagination.

Whimsical Clown Stoneware 12" x 5" x 6" 2016

A WORLD OF ACTIVITY

Magical Clown on Horse Stoneware 10" X 12" X 22" 2013

Juggler Stoneware 15" X 12" X 22" 2014

BALANCED WITH BLISS For her third exhibition, Maria Magdamit conjures the fantastical Magical Cirus Series. Despite the rigorous production of her signature fragile stoneware, the molding and wheeling of the clay come alive in the figures of balancing elephants, quirky acrobats, jugglers, and magnificent horses with animated riders. The delicate juxtapose of material and theme comes alive after weeks of letting the clay dry and bisque firing the piece to harden. Each piece is hand-colored and then glazed further in a high-fired kiln.

For her third exhibition, she debuts her Magical Circus Series.

Whimsical Elephant Stoneware 10" x 14" x 18" 2014

A WORLD OF FORM Seemingly arising from a mythical awakening, Maria Magdamit's forms are of milky alabaster limestone. The bare torsos in passionate poses, each sculpture transcends the sensual and the erotic.

The form takes over 10 hours to bake in a high fire kiln and then is reintroduced to the heat for another 12 hours after the special glaze has been applied by hand.

The splendid coral and marine theme of the pieces has become her trademark style and is much sought after by her collectors.

Blue Torso Stoneware 22" x 14" x 8" 2021

Coral Reef Stoneware 10" x 12" x 23" 2017

Maria Madamit's love for texture and subtle ocean hues weaves an otherworldly spell reminiscent of rolling waves on virgin shorelines. Unadulterated and pristine in some areas and heavily embellished with sea glass and botanical accents in others, each piece is an explosion of texture that takes one from lush forest floors to deep sea beds.

Diwata Aruga Stoneware 18" x 14" x 8" 2013

Diwato Stoneware 14" X 12" X 20" 2016

DIWATA Everpresent in Philippine lore, the mythical Diwata is the epitome of the divine feminine. Accented with infusions of flora and fona motiff,Maria Magdamit captures the essense of her nature guardian in her Diwata Series.

She names her creations after women who positively impacted her life, women she admires deeply.

Each organic and unique form exudes an energy from within. Each sublime smile a blessing bestowed.

The rigorous production of these fragile stonewares involves molding the clay, wheeling it further into shape, and then drying it for weeks. Afterward, each piece undergoes bisque firing for it to harden. The first layers of colors are hand-painted and then back to the high-fired kiln it goes. The deep soothing shades of blue lull one into a subtle meditative state while in front of Maria Magdamit's Diwata as she seemingly dispenses grace.

For Maria, the euphoria of the creative process outmatches the piece being sold. But she is happy that her work finds their forever homes.

Also included are the diwata necklaces and cuffs—wearable art that have a loyal following.

Diwata Lumi Stoneware 10" x 12" x 8" 2016

Diwata Ann Stoneware 48" x 16" x 8" 2016

The meticulouos process of Maria Magdamit's creations take 10 hours at first and then an additional 12 hours after the special glazing has been applied. Care is needed to ensure that pieces do not break due to excessive heat or movement.

Her painstaking care is evident in her highlighted textures. Each of her artworks casts a spell with its botanical accents accentuated by either foretst or sea elements.

Diwata Sisters Stoneware 23" x 18" x 8" 2014

Diwata Bea Stoneware 9" x 4" x 20" 2014

Magdamit’s Blue Hope represents “youth and the growing coral reefs symbolizing a change from the once damaged corals and treasures of the sea to blooming new corals badly needed by our fisher folks to obtain growth of the diverse species of fishes…and other elements.”

Blue Hope Stoneware 12" x 18" x 23" 2017

STORIES IN THE GARDEN SERIES Philodendron Stoneware 14" X 12" x 6" 2020

Bluebutterfly Stoneware 14" X 12" x 6" 2020

My Starlike Flowers Stoneware 14" X 12" x 6" 2020

When Daisies Bloom Stoneware 14" X 12" x 6" 2020

Early Nude Stoneware 14" x 12" 2021