BRANKOPOPOVICBLOG: Pioneers in Ceramics

From February 16, 2024, Museum Prinsenhof Delft presents the exhibition Pioneers in Ceramics.

Ceramics are hot! A growing vanguard of artists and designers are choosing clay and innovating the craft by pushing the boundaries of the material. Pioneers in Ceramics shows masterpieces from the historical pottery collection side by side with work by contemporary makers. This creates an exciting dialogue that provides special insights. Because while the basic recipe of ceramics has remained the same, the world to which makers respond has changed significantly. Pioneers in Ceramics portrays multiple perspectives and stories and invites visitors to look at the past with a contemporary view.

Delft Blue and the tradition of innovation

Museum Prinsenhof Delft has a large collection of Delft pottery, including the famous Delft Blue. The urge to experiment of Delft pottery makers who tried to imitate Chinese porcelain led to the development of a new product in the 17th century: Delft Blue. This marks the start of a flowering period for ceramics in Delft. With the museum collection of pottery from the 17th and 18th centuries as a starting point, Pioneers in Ceramics shows historical pottery alongside contemporary making experiments. This reveals surprising similarities and telling differences. The exhibition clearly shows that innovation is motivated by social changes. Based on current themes such as sustainability, locality and diversity, the exhibition invites you to discover connections between then and now.

No Limits! Art Castle

Pioneers in Ceramics shows a new acquisition for Museum Prinsenhof Delft: an impressive pair of pike terrines, elaborately decorated trompe l'oeil tableware from the second half of the 18th century. Another example of decorated tableware from this period is a tap jug in the shape of a lady, one of the treasures brought from the depot for this exhibition.
In addition, the museum puts ceramics by 23 contemporary artists from the Netherlands in the spotlight. The focus is on recent work by new talent. The selection is diverse, with special attention to self-taught makers, makers with a non-Western background and makers who represent a different perspective. Max Lipsey makes a table from Delft Blue ceramic waste. Benedetta Pompili shows work she recently made during her residency at the Rijksakademie Amsterdam. And because Asia is still an important source of inspiration today, work by participants in the Creative Residency Arita in Japan is also on display, including new work by Simone Post.

More information: https://prinsenhof-delft.nl