MESH Magazine - In Conversation With Anna Westerlund

In the world of ceramics, Anna Westerlund's name is synonymous with creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation. From a background in advertising and modeling to becoming a celebrated ceramist and entrepreneur, Anna’s journey is one of bold decisions and passionate pursuit of artistry.

In this interview, we're introducing you to her creative process, the challenges of building a business, and how she combines her love for ceramics with jewellery design. Her story is a reminder that following your instincts and creating from the heart can lead to extraordinary things.

How did your artistic journey begin, and what was the moment you realized you wanted to pursue ceramics as your art?

I would say it all started when I gave up my Advertising and Marketing course to study Arts. At the peak of my modeling career, I visited many ceramic exhibitions, at a time when this type of art wasn't widely talked about in Portugal. The versatility of ceramics fascinated me. The ability to work with clay in both a utilitarian and artistic way.

Can you tell us a little more about your creative process?

I’m very visual. So, in my creative process, I do a lot of drawing. I cut out, mix colors, ideas, and images. Everything flows better when I retreat into silence to hear the ideas in my head.

What were the biggest challenges in establishing yourself as a ceramist and entrepreneur?

The biggest challenge is working with the Portuguese market, which doesn't really value handmade work. Thankfully, things are slowly changing. On the other hand, the amount of taxes to be paid as a small business is also a significant challenge.

Part of your work also involves creating some jewellery pieces through ceramics. What was the inspiration behind combining ceramics with jewellery, and how do you approach designing pieces that are both functional and artistic?

When I went to study at Arco, I chose to study ceramics and jewellery because I knew one day I would combine the two. I like to think of the jotas (as I call them) as small amulets that bring us good energy. Pieces that convey my artistic language but also adorn us and make us smile.

Is there a piece that holds special meaning for you? What’s the story behind it?

I think the piece that inspires me the most and holds special meaning varies in time. It’s the one that is the most recent, the most experimental, and represents new things yet to be discovered.

What advice would you give to other women artists trying to make their mark in the creative industries?

To always strive to be genuine, to find their own language and inspirations within themselves. To research a lot, experiment a lot, and make many mistakes. And that working with truth brings positive results.