Manuela Oprea

My work centers on sculptural ceramic vessels that explore the balance between fragility and strength. I build handformed shapes that twist, curve, rise, and fold in states of tension, each appearing to bend or nearly tip, yet remain held in balance.

Raku firing is central to my practice. Through fire, smoke, and oxygen reduction, surfaces develop metallic finishes and shifting colors like copper, silver, gold, and iridescent blues that change with light and perspective. I’m drawn to the unpredictability of the process, where solid forms can feel fluid and moments of instability become expressions of resilience. Because of the variable nature of raku, no two pieces can ever be recreated exactly; each work carries its own unrepeatable surface and character.

I was born in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, where I was influenced early by the mineral and stone specimens collected by my mother, a geologist. After immigrating to the United States, I studied at New York City’s High School of Art & Design, earned a BFA in Photography from the School of Visual Arts, and later an MBA from NYU Stern. My background in photography continues to shape my sensitivity to texture, contrast, and form.

I now live and work in New Paltz, New York.

BFA - School Of Visual Arts
MBA - NYU Stern

2026: Saratoga Clay Arts Center, NY
2025 & 2026: Garrison Art Center, NY
2024: BeaconArts, NY
2024: JAG Gallery, Kew West, FL