We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gabriela Alicia Berutti a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Gabriela Alicia , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
My confidence and self-esteem have grown over time. I kept working despite that inner voice telling me, “What you’re doing is terrible.” I kept going, developing strategies to quiet that self-sabotaging voice—sometimes by pushing through, and other times by setting the idea aside for a while and returning to it later with fresh eyes.
I want to emphasize how important it is for me to feel accompanied—by colleagues, friends, or family—whether it’s about what I’m feeling or what I’m creating. The perspective of others matters deeply to me; it brings a different way of seeing things, not just my own. It gives me the distance I need to observe my work from the outside—something I often can’t do on my own. Working in the studio can feel very solitary at times.
These are two aspects of both my practice and myself that I continue to work on. While I feel more confident than I did a few years ago, it’s still a process—one I remain committed to.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Today, my professional practice revolves around three main aspects:
As a ceramics teacher, I run my own studio, where I share and exchange knowledge and creative exploration with my students. Our focus is on the process itself—on the work and the joy of making—rather than strictly on the final outcome. Sometimes we reach a result that satisfies us; sometimes we don’t, and that’s part of the journey.
As the curator of an independent exhibition space, I manage a street-facing window gallery that allows passersby to engage with the artwork from the sidewalk. It’s a space that welcomes artists from various disciplines, inviting them to present projects that resonate with both the physical characteristics and the spirit of the space.
And finally, as an artist, I work in my studio, where I see myself as a ceramicist who often moves beyond the formal boundaries of the medium. My work frequently blends ceramics with other disciplines—such as photography and textiles—for now, at least.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’m tenacious. When something doesn’t quite convince me—when it feels off, or I like it but not entirely—I keep going. I keep searching, keep working. I don’t let it go.
I believe that, in life and especially in creative work, we overcome challenges with others. So when I feel stuck, I turn to colleagues, workshops, or my family for support.
I have no trouble acknowledging my limitations, and I actively seek out other professionals who can offer fresh perspectives and new knowledge.
My advice: always follow the path of trusting yourself and your vision. Only set it aside after giving it a real try—and if needed, seek out a kind, thoughtful opinion.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I pause.
I breathe, I take stock, I listen to my inner voice.
This is how I quiet the gray thoughts.
And then, I begin again—gently, from the smallest place.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Gabriela_berutti @ventanarodney. @ceramicacontiempo
Image Credits
PH: @germanfotoartes
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