Biography
Toni De Jesus was born in the UK in 1995. He grew up in Madeira (Portugal), and in 2008 migrated once again to England. This is when he was introduced to ceramics and followed it through by studying a foundation course at City College Brighton and Hove (2013-14). He eventually moved to Wales to study at Cardiff School of Art & Design (2015-18), where he graduated and established his practice.
Since graduating, De Jesus has been showcasing throughout including, FRESH at the British Ceramics Biennial (2019) where he was awarded the Guldagergaard International Residency (2021). Selected shows and exhibitions include, COLLECT Art Fair with Ruthin Craft Centre (2021-22), Ceramic Art London (2022/2024) and internationally at Galeria dos Prazeres, ‘Vaso de Altar’ (2020), ‘Pela Paisagem Dividida, Retalhada’ (2021), Portugal.
In 2022 Toni was involved in an exhibition “On Your Face x Glynn Vivian: Queer Reflections” where he produced “Amor-Perfeito” – an incredible profound and personal piece which made him come out to his father. This in turn got picked up by New York gallery, J. Lohmann Gallery and a relationship was formed. Since, J. Lohmann Gallery has represented Toni’s work at Design Miami (Miami, 2023), Salon Art + Design (New York, 2024) and at Bergdorf Goodman (New York, 2025).
In 2023 Toni had his first solo exhibition, ‘Cacúlo’ at Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Madeira – MUDAS, Portugal. This show became a Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre and Ruthin Craft Centre partnership exhibition funded by Arts Council of Wales Create funding, which went on tour in 2024/2025.
In 2024 was made a Selected Member by the Craft Potters Association and also was invited to join the Homo Faber Guide. Labelled as a ‘rising star’ he exhibited in Venice at the Homo Faber 2024 – Journey of Life.
With these escalades, the work was featured at VOGUE USA (March Issue 2024) with an article by Elise Taylor, Fleabane Vase was included in The Guardian’s Design Highlights of 2024 by Adam Nathaniel Furman and more recently, front cover of Ceramic Review (Issue 334, July/August 2025) with a multi-page spread page feature, “The exploding teacup” by Andre Hess.
De Jesus is currently based at Fireworks Clay Studios, Cardiff.
Statement
My work and ethos is centred around the idea of ceramics and its strong association with craft. As a material and its context within the fine art spectrum. I am interested in the factors which compare with the constant debate about crafts, and its position within today’s society.
In essence the work is autobiographical, in a sense that it is in a quest to find its identity. Myself, questioning my personal identity, where do I belong? We have been living in a constant state of flux, not knowing where we belong. This work is made manifest through instability. It is a product of the political, economic and socio-cultural issues that we are facing, from Brexit to the after effects of the Pandemic. This is extended to the public to question their own being through the work.
This sense of constant flux is the reason I am so fascinated with duality and juxtaposition. The idea that my work balances around the space between, function and non-function, tradition and breaking with tradition, craftsmanship-based art and idea-based art.
