Meet Untitled Square
Lilia and Alisa of Untitled Square - featuring the star of the show.. Lilia’s pup, Shanty.
“Time’s Gentle Embrace”
Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
Lilia and I are both Armenian American artists. I (Alisa) was born in Armenia and moved to the U.S. when I was 6 years old. Lilia was born in Iran, moved to Armenia for college and then moved to the U.S. when she was 29 years old. We grew up under very different circumstances, but when we met, we shared so many commonalities that we became fast friends. Even though we had very different artistic styles, we found that we were able to work together quite easily, even sometimes on the piece. We were able to match each other’s brushwork while keeping our own artist hand still visible in the piece. This led to us constantly working together and eventually becoming business partners. Our studio was founded in 2020…while the world shut down, we went to work! We are a transnational duo, classically trained fine artists from different corners of the world. We both spent our artistic careers as painters; creating, exhibiting, and teaching Art. We still continue to paint, but found a deep love for clay and the beauty in working with malleable raw materials. With clay we get to play again, learn again, and create differently than we ever have before.
Our art has always been inspired by the harmony of human impermanence as it relates to behavior, the vibrant colors of cultures and tradition, and storytelling. These concepts are the lens with which we create our ceramic pieces. We derive strength from the richness of our unique perspectives and our diverse experiences and we take pride in the connection each piece forges between us as artists and you as the customer.
Very cool! I love hearing about you two have come together. What is your biggest artistic influence?
There are so many incredible ceramic artists that influence our work in one way or the other, that it is extremely difficult to choose. These are just a few that come to mind Grayson Perry, Betty Woodman, Peter Voulkos, Beatrice Wood, Shoji Hamada, and Lucie Rie are just a few that we are in awe of.
How do you define success as an artist?
Artistic success, for us, is a multifaceted journey that encompasses personal fulfillment, financial stability, impact, and growth. We find joy and satisfaction in the creative process, which fuels our passion and drives us to continuously improve and experiment with new techniques. Achieving financial stability through our art allows us to sustain our practice and focus on our work without external constraints. Beyond personal achievements, we aim to make a meaningful impact through our art, influencing culture and contributing to society.
There is endless value in that. What would you say is the hardest part of your creation process?
Ideation! Going from working conceptually and technically, to making work that is functional and sculptural, has proven to be a challenge. Thinking through practicality, necessity, and functionality before we start creating, and asking ourselves “how can this be used?” before we has been an interesting trial for our creative process.
How has your style changed over time?
The biggest change has been shifting from two dimensional to three dimensional materials. Working with clay introduces tactile, hands-on elements to our creative process. Clay allows for a direct manipulation of form and texture, enabling us to explore different dimensions, shapes, and surfaces in a way that is different from paint. With the change in artistic medium, our conceptual framework and artistic expression has naturally shifted.
Love that you both were able to make that shift together. What is your favorite piece that you have created and why?
Lilia’s favorite piece is called “Contemplative Echos” [pictured below]. She loves the overall composition, the rich turquoise glaze draped over the brown clay, and the expression and body language of the people that we sculpted on this vase.
Alisa’s Favorite piece is called “Shadows that Sing” [also pictured below]. I love this piece because of its monochromatic nature, its use of negative and positive space, and because it has just the right balance of texture and smooth.
“Contemplative Echos”
“Shadows that Sing”
I’m having trouble picking a favorite myself! What do you love most about Pasadena?
Pasadena is a unique blend of old and new, of culture and history. There is such beauty in the historic homes and scenic views. Not to mention it houses two of our favorite places, The Norton Simon Museum and Blick Art Materials. What’s not to love.
Find Untitled Square at Pasadena ARTWalk on September 21st & 22nd.
Instagram | www.instagram.com/untitled.square