Sarah and Samantha Ferrer, first-generation Cuban American twin sisters based in Miami, Florida, are revolutionizing contemporary ceramics by transforming nostalgic pop culture elements into permanent art pieces. The duo behind 2win Studios specializes in creating ceramic works that capture the essence of vaporwave aesthetics, drawing inspiration from their shared girlhood experiences and the unique cultural landscape of their hometown, which they describe as feeling like its own country.
The sisters' artistic approach centers on immortalizing fleeting cultural moments and feelings through clay. "Whether we're recreating something that already exists, a feeling, or recounting a viral moment, our goal is to immortalize those moments in clay, in the form of an object that will last forever," explains Samantha. Their work features an intriguing blend of kitsch and exhibition-quality art that incorporates recognizable pop cultural touchstones, from GameBoy Advance consoles to anime-inspired characters.
Their ceramic pieces demonstrate remarkable creativity in subject matter and execution. Notable works include cereal bowls crafted from weepy anime girl heads, intricately decorated urns that mimic Louis Vuitton patterns, and figurines inspired by anime characters depicted as skaters, angel-winged boys, and Sailor Moon characters. The semiotics of these familiar images gain new meaning when rendered in precious ceramic, creating touchable objects that paradoxically become untouchable artworks, prompting viewers to engage with nostalgia on a deeper, more contemplative level.
Before discovering ceramics, both sisters focused primarily on drawing and painting, skills that significantly influence their current three-dimensional work. "We try to make each piece feel like a three-dimensional version of one of our drawings or paintings," says Sarah. This background in traditional media is evident in their wonderfully detailed surface decorations and character work that successfully translates two-dimensional concepts into sculptural forms.
The twins pay homage to their Cuban heritage through works like their bust of Scarface's Tony Montana, which evokes the stone heads commonly seen in vaporwave iconography. This aesthetic often transcends simple nostalgic imagery, creating deeper cultural commentary. Their work successfully bridges their cultural identity with contemporary American pop culture, creating a unique artistic voice that speaks to multicultural experiences in modern America.
Despite working collaboratively, the sisters maintain distinct individual styles that complement each other through healthy artistic competition. "Sarah's work tends to be smaller, more detailed, and her palette is more muted," observes Samantha. In contrast, "Samantha's work is big, bold, more gestural and rough," notes Sarah. This difference in approach adds variety and depth to their collective body of work while maintaining a cohesive artistic vision.
Looking toward the future, the Ferrer sisters have ambitious plans to expand their impact beyond their current practice. By the end of this year, they plan to open a dedicated ceramics studio designed to connect with the wider community through art education and workshops. For now, however, Samantha and Sarah continue connecting to their local Miami scene through their recognizable pop culture references, constantly finding innovative ways to transform their drawings and cultural observations into three-dimensional objects that can be seen, appreciated, and related to by diverse audiences who share similar nostalgic touchstones.
