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Spanish porcelain house Lladró finds a poetic creative partner in Valencian plastic artist Antonio Segura Donat, or Dulk, in Ephemeral Treasures, a collection of two sculpture art pieces embodying the fragility of nature into tangible porcelain materiality. Including a compositional, fauna-filled decorative sculpture and a frozen ceramic guardian, the collection is an ode to endangered ecosystems captured as immortalised moments.
The collaboration takes inspiration from two of Dulk's signature creations—Soul Rider, the eternal protector, and Ephemeral Treasures, a surreal tableau of coexistence. Known for weaving themes of vulnerability, resilience and transformation into his works on canvases, illustrations and murals, Dulk translates his imagination into the porcelain medium for the first time, crafting a series that balances symbolic storytelling with artisan precision.
"Full of symbolism and depth, they reflect the fragility of the planet and the urgent need to protect it. Each piece is like a dreamlike window into a changing world, where endangered species coexist in a delicate and ephemeral balance. These two creations combine Dulk's passion for nature with Lladró's artisanal excellence, resulting in pieces that are powerful in both their conceptual meaning and their artistic and technical execution," notes the project's press release.
As with all his works, Dulk's designs for Lladró carry a message of raising awareness about species protection and conservation, aiming to return to nature what rightfully belongs to it.
The Ephemeral Treasures sculpture is a microcosm of delicate equilibrium. A regal peacock commands attention with its dazzling plumage, a spectrum of vivid pinks and greens interspersed with subtle skull motifs. Its feathers extend like a timeline—vivid in places yet shadowed by the presence of decay. Above the bird rests an hourglass, its sands slipping away to underscore the transience of life and nature alike.
A tiger lies dormant under the peacock, its body petrified in a state of transformation. This juxtaposition of life and minerals speaks to resilience and hints at the slow erosion of ecosystems under human impact. A snake with a candle perched on its head coils nearby, symbolising flickering hope amid time's relentless march. Perched above it all, a monkey rings a bell—a sharp, urgent reminder for us to act.
The Valencia-based artist's storytelling comes alive in ceramic, where every curve and hue is deliberate. The piece unfolds in layers—each detail inviting viewers to linger, reflect and uncover meanings that are as transient as the ecosystems it honours. Limited to just 200 pieces, this work epitomises Lladró's commitment to elevating art through technical mastery.
In Soul Rider, Dulk’s emblematic character steps into three-dimensional form for the first time. A protector of natural realms in his murals and illustrations, Soul Rider now stands independent, a beacon of resilience and guidance. Perched atop a flower skull—a poignant reminder of the peril facing nature—the figure holds a heart-shaped banner, a symbol of love triumphing over fear. The soft blues and intricate engravings of its form evoke a calm, reflective spirit, urging viewers to look inward and acknowledge their role in nurturing harmony with the environment.
Like its counterpart, Soul Rider is a limited-edition piece, with only 500 crafted. It encapsulates the same intricate attention to detail that defines Dulk's work, blending Surrealism with elements of folklore, spirituality and hope.
For Dulk, working with porcelain opened a new realm of creative expression. Describing his collaboration with the Spain-based Lladró, the Spanish artist remarked, "Witnessing their artisans at work was like stepping into another world. Porcelain has a purity and delicacy that perfectly aligns with the message I wanted to convey."
This new medium allowed Dulk to translate his vivid, nature-inspired imagery into tangible art with intricacy. The sculptures exude life through their finely crafted textures—the softness of the peacock’s feathers, the subtle skulls hidden within and the tiger's body, caught in poetic tension. Each detail breathes meaning, capturing fleeting moments of beauty and transformation. Through porcelain, Dulk's storytelling gains depth, merging fragility and strength. The medium not only amplifies the themes of his work but also immortalises his message—creating pieces that feel as dynamic as the ecosystems they represent.
"Working with Lladró has been a completely different experience. Making a sculpture in porcelain is much more complex than doing it with another material such as bronze, resin or wood. It is a unique process that makes the Soul Rider and Ephemeral Treasures pieces explosive in their level of detail, finishes, [and] mix of textures," he continues.
Through intricate symbolism and unmatched artistry, Dulk and Lladró invite us to ponder the fragility of life, urging action before it slips away. These works are not merely decorative; they are meditative, offering a chance to reconnect with the ephemeral treasures we so often overlook.
Text by Arryan Siingh, intern at STIR
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