Sculpting Dualities: The Art and Vision of Two Faced Ceramics
In a sunlit studio on Melrose Avenue, ceramicist Eve Palguta Thomas breathes life into clay, crafting pieces that challenge the boundaries of form and function. Her company, Two Faced Ceramics, isn’t just a business; it’s a narrative of contrasts, textures, and personalities.
Founded in 2022, Two Faced Ceramics is rooted in the idea that objects, like people, can embody multiple identities. Using a slip-casting process, Thomas produces small batches of sculptural vessels, each with distinct glaze finishes that give rise to different ‘personalities.’ Some pieces are smooth and serene; others crackle with dynamic textures. This interplay of characteristics invites viewers to reconsider the static nature of ceramics.
Thomas’s inspiration draws from diverse sources: the curves of the human body, the intricate patterns of insects, natural formations, and even architectural elements. Her designs are playful yet poised, balancing symmetry with asymmetry, regularity with whimsy. “I love the freedom to experiment,” she says. “Ceramic pottery is estimated to have been invented some 20,000 years ago—there are truly countless forms humans have made throughout the centuries!”
The artist’s journey to founding Two Faced Ceramics was as textured as her work. A graduate of the New York Academy of Art, Thomas initially honed her skills in stone carving and fine art. The pandemic became an unexpected catalyst. She and her husband relocated from New York to Pittsburgh, where she set up her first ceramics studio and translated years of sketches into tangible forms. By 2023, the couple had moved to Los Angeles, where Thomas continues to grow her practice.
Sustainability remains a core tenet of Two Faced Ceramics. “The process of material reuse is a meditative act of rebirth in the work-flow of the studio cycle,” she explains. Every clay scrap is recycled by hand, rejoining the production cycle with a renewed purpose. Packaging materials are biodegradable or recyclable, aligning with Thomas’s belief that art should not come at the planet’s expense.
The company’s reach extends beyond Los Angeles. Two Faced Ceramics has appeared at international exhibitions like 1000 Vases in Paris and New York’s OAD Interiors showcase. Collaborations with designers, bespoke pieces for restaurants, and features in publications such as World of Interiors and Feel Free Magazine have brought Thomas’s vision to a broader audience.
“I have enjoyed teaching the arts for as long as I have loved learning, and I have always found it an important part of my own practice,” she said. Since moving to LA, she has opened her own private studio to students and has built a community around sharing the freedom, creativity and tactile joys of working with clay.
As Two Faced Ceramics prepares to unveil its Market Series, which will feature sculptural tableware and modular light fixtures, Thomas stays true to her guiding principle: embracing the dualities of art and life. “There is no set path to follow. I love making art on a daily basis, but when you are a one-woman show, there are many hats to wear besides “artist.” I have learned how to be my own photographer, editor, website designer, social media manager, and marketing agent to name a few.” With all those roles, it seems the duality has become a six-sided hexality! Managing that many roles might seem overwhelming, but Thomas tackles each with the same curiosity and dedication she brings to her work.
For more on Two Faced Ceramics, visit twofacedceramics.com.
