“I no longer replicate extensive series; all pieces are numbered and designed for a specific person, with a story behind them. This allows me to innovate freely, remaining faithful to the manual gesture, the material, and the brand’s identity.”

Liliana comes from a family of ceramicists; her grandfather owned a factory, so she has been in contact with clay since she was a little girl. From her grandfather, she also inherited resilience, which has helped her many times to overcome challenges.

Growing up in Barcelos, a region tied to Portuguese craft traditions, shaped her sense of beauty and form. The city has a strong artisanal tradition in pottery, ceramics, and figurative art, and this environment taught her to value human touch, the material, and the idea that each piece can have a soul.

Furthermore, growing up surrounded by colours, textures, and forms rooted in clay and manual processes led her to recognise that beauty can reside in imperfections and in finishes that reveal the hands that created them.

“In Barcelos, I learned to respect the material, the technique, and the patience of the making. I feel that this tradition gives me a foundation to experiment and learn from traditional forms, allowing me to reinvent and reinterpret them with a contemporary perspective, but with roots. In every piece I create this connection to the land, to craftsmanship, and to the history of Barcelos.”

Credits: Supplied Image;

Liliana studied in London, and during those years, she discovered a new map of life. Her horizons expanded, and growth became inevitable. She left her comfort zone behind and embraced cultures that transformed her.

After her studies, Liliana decided to return home and start something deeply grounded in tradition.

“When I travelled to London, it was never with the idea of staying forever. It could have happened; life sometimes takes us down paths we never imagined. But my initial idea was always to focus on the experience, meet people, broaden my horizons, and, above all, discover myself. Deep down, to prove to myself that I would be able to be in a country alone.”

Liliana’s brand comes from the earth - from her childhood, essence and her roots. Each of her pieces has a story, and each one is special.

For example, the pieces in the DisFunction collection were created specifically for the latest edition of Lisbon Design Week. With this collection, Liliana wanted to show that her pieces don’t necessarily need a specific function. People look and say: “It’s a mug”, “It’s a vase”, or “It’s something else”. But what she wants to show is that it can be whatever we want, or simply do nothing. Because that “nothing” is also part of life, and it’s good. We can be whoever we want, without labels.

In this way, the pieces in this collection become more than an object: they're a statement. It's an invitation to freedom, reinvention, and reflection. “What I, as an artist, strive to create are pieces with soul, with history, and with space for those who take them home to give them their own meaning.”

Credits: Supplied Image;

Even as the brand grows, Liliana has chosen to remain in the studio because she believes the human hand and personal touch are what make each of her pieces unique. She remains fully involved in the entire creative process, from shaping on the potter’s wheel to firing and finishing. “I want each piece to bear my signature, not just symbolically, but literally in the hands that made it.”

For Liliana, working with clay is truly relaxing and liberating. When she sits down, time slows down, and everything else disappears for a moment.

“Your hands are immersed in the material; you can feel the texture of the clay, the slight resistance as it spins, and this connection keeps my mind in the present moment. It’s almost meditative; studies show that moulding clay can lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and lead us to a state of calm and mindfulness.”

At the same time, it’s physical: centring the clay, stretching the walls, shaping the form. It’s this mixture of physicality and stillness that makes the studio a place where you can feel free to explore, experiment, and always return.

“Every hour at the wheel is a journey of transformation in the clay and transformation in myself.”

On days when she is not immersed in production, Liliana allows herself to breathe and explore. These quieter days are just as important as the production days; they allow the clay to rest and Liliana’s mind to wander. It’s during these pauses that new forms and fresh inspirations begin to take shape. To read a book or go to see an exhibition and absorb energy, ideas, and textures. She also enjoys paddleboarding, yoga, and travelling.

People can purchase Liliana’s pieces at select galleries, shops, and concept stores worldwide, as well as directly online through the official website, Terrakota.pt.

“When someone holds one of my pieces, I hope they feel serene, connected, centred. I want the object to be more than just a piece, a moment of calm in a busy day, a reminder of the human hand that shaped it, and a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe, and appreciate.”

To discover Liliana’s creations, have a look at her Instagram profile @liliana.silva.artist.