Lava Objects

Ayala Braidman works under the name Lava Objects from her studio in Porto, Portugal, creating ceramic and papier-mâché sculptures inspired by desert landscapes. With a background in industrial design from Bezalel Academy, her practice blends tactile craftsmanship with a refined sense of form and material, exploring the atmospheric stillness of arid environments.

Braidman works primarily in stoneware and papier-mâché, often combining both materials in single pieces to enhance their contrasting properties. Her desert-inspired lamps feature papier-mâché that resembles stone, allowing light to pass through and transform the atmosphere much like shifting desert light throughout the day. Her pieces draw names from geological phenomena—Sirocco, Orogeny, and Alluvium—each referencing natural forces that shape landscapes over time.

The move from Israel to Portugal profoundly influenced Braidman's practice, deepening her connection to the desert landscapes of her homeland. Her work includes wall sculptures that echo ancient fossils and lighting that captures the warmth of desert stone, bringing quiet drama into interior spaces.