Soleil Carlos - Mamasun Ceramics

Soleil Carlos is the creator behind Mamasun Ceramics, a colorfully eclectic and functional pottery brand based in Brooklyn, New York. After a cross country move from LA to New York City at 19 years old to be with her sister, Soleil focused her time on working. Over the next 4-5 years Soleil worked at an ambulance company and held a series of odd jobs. Facing burn out, Soleil focused on her mental health through creative outlets like painting. Her partner and his family gifted Soleil with a pottery class and it felt right. “My hands are dirty, and it's all I'm concentrating on, being present, and creating. The process of molding something from mud and having a finished piece feels satisfying and productive,” Soleil explains. Ceramics became Soleil’s focus for it’s natural and meditative feel, and she started Mamasun Ceramics. Named in honor of her parents, Mamasun Ceramics is influenced by personal experiences and red clay reminds Soleil of traditional Filipino clay items. Soleil also finds a connection to Filipino culture through naming her pieces with Tagalog words, two bowls are named after her Lolas. Currently, Soleil is Artist in Residency by my clay studio and learning slip casting, with new designs coming soon.

mamasunceramics.com
@mamasun.ceramics

Were you always interested in art and when did you decide to pursue it as a career?
I was always interested in art, but I didn't have the opportunity to start doing it until I was around 24/25 because I was constantly working. I worked 9-5 in an office for an ambulance company and part-time other odd jobs; work became exhausting and started affecting my mental health. I've always felt that I need to do something creative. I tried dipping my toes in taking different art classes like painting, but it never really clicked.

My partner Jonah and his family surprised me with a pottery class for my birthday, and I found myself enjoying and immersed myself by enrolling in more classes. There's something in pottery for me that feels so natural and meditating. My hands are dirty, and it's all I'm concentrating on, being present, and creating. The process of molding something from mud and having a finished piece feels satisfying and productive.

Friends and family started to ask me to make commissioned pieces, and having good feedback made me realize that I can try to pursue it as a career.

What's the inspiration behind the name Mamasun?
Mamasun is a play on my name, Soleil, which means "sun" in French, and my dad's nickname is Sunny. I also felt the needed to add in "mama" so my mom doesn't feel left out because we don't play favorites in my family. Hence, Mamasun Ceramics.

It sounds a lot like the word "mamasan" in Japanese, which means a woman in a position of authority. - I like that.

What influences your work?
Personal experiences. From the shapes and the colors that I use, I'd like to think it mirrors my personality. I'm drawn with using red clay because it reminds me of the Filipino traditional clay items like the "palayok and banga". There's just something in it that reminds me of home and that I'm still connected and that I can represent.

How do you add Filipino influences in your art?
My previous answer also applies to this question, but I like naming my pieces after Tagalog words. I enjoy doing the research, which refreshes my Tagalog, which I don't get to speak as much as I'd like to. I also used both my lola's (grandma) names with two bowls I have- Juanita & Aurora.

How would you describe your ceramics style?
Functional, playful, eclectic, colorful, it takes up space and brightens up a room!

Who/what has been instrumental in your personal and creative growth?
Being an immigrant and having working extra hard, and the feeling of constantly having to remind me that I belong and I don't have to prove anything to anyone but myself and to take my space.

Taking care of my mental health is a big one; I wouldn't be able to find my passion for ceramics if I ignored my mental health.

Also, having supportive family and friends - without them, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now.

How was it like moving to LA at 16 years old and New York City at 19 years old?
It was tough. My parents were "Filipino strict." I didn't realize that they would allow me to move out. The move happened a little after I graduated from high school. My ate/sister Sacha (who I'm very close with, was finishing college in the Philippines) moved to New York and was going through a breakup, and so was I.

Our parents brought up the idea that it would be a good idea for us to spend time together and go/move to New York if I wanted to.

Of course, the 19 years old rebellious me took that offer in an instant. I secretly do think my parents wanted me to move here so that they don't have to worry about me, and I can grow up and figure out life and live it however I wanted to without them stopping me.

When I moved to New York, it was challenging since I've never been to NY—having only a one-way ticket and less than $500.

And try to figure what to do with 19 years old and survive by taking odd jobs.

NY has taught me a lot and raised me well to be the person person I am today. New York has been a good mama to me.

Do you have any upcoming work or projects that you would like to share?
I am constantly trying to create new pieces. Early this year, I was selected as an Artist in Residency by my clay studio.

I've been spending time learning and playing with the process of slip casting, where you make a mold out of plaster and pour in liquid clay. It's messy and fun. It's usually used for production so that it's a lot faster than hand-building or wheel. I've been making these cloud pipes. I'm currently trying to perfect it, asking my friends to be my lab rats, trying the pieces, and see how I could make it better. That's one thing that I'm excited to share with everyone, also webshop update!

Photos courtesy of Soleil Carlos