The Artist

Swanica finds a spiritual connection with Mother Nature and meaning of life, and wants to contribute to the restoration, balance and harmony of our earth through the creation of ceramic art. 

She lived in many countries: is born in the Netherlands; lived in Switzerland, the USA and Japan. The extensive travels created a dialogue between the Eastern and Western ceramic techniques and aesthetics and increased her understanding of different cultures and the history of arts.
She was influenced by a long family tradition of goldsmiths, painters and musicians. Her studies at L’ecole des Arts Decoratifs in Geneva, Switzerland, immersed her in the art of drawing, throwing, forming, decorating and glazing ceramics.

She expresses herself mainly in round thrown clay forms. They center her and represent the cycle of life, especially the persistence of life, family and creativity. She loves to work with colors and is attracted by the warmth of red earthenware clay. She has previously produced an important body of work that features yellow and brown tones produced by the use of ferric chloride color on her signature Horsehair Raku works.

She has also developed a body of 2D wall-art that incorporates slabs. Cutting and/or folding transformed artworks. Her love for geometric shapes and lines is apparent in her forms and decorations. Her slabs combined with other natural materials create a harmonious work of art. Through design, assembly and interplay between form, line and surface she enhances the form, lifts them up and ensures a balance in her ceramic pieces.

Her recent rediscovery of childhood drawings has reignited her interest in geometry, lines and colors. She is currently reapplying these elements on her thrown and modified forms and sculptures through applying layered engraved colored slips to express the elegance and harmony of nature. 

Her interests lie in low-fire techniques, what gives her a great color palette with clay, slips and glazes. 

- She engraves decorations in the slip or underglaze or multi-layered slips and underglazes sprayed or brushed on the leather-hard clay and glazes it with a clear glaze. (See Techniques).

- The play with color glazes give wonderful combinations with textures in the clay and a crackled glaze. (See Techniques). 

- Over the years, she explored alternative glazing, kiln and firing techniques: Horsehair-Raku, Naked-Raku, Pit, Saggar and Wood Firings. (See Techniques).

Each firing offers something special and requires a deep understanding and interactive play to develop and master a unique technique and style.

With the Horsehair-Raku technique one removes red hot pieces from the kiln and applies horsehair or other materials like sugar and feathers, which gives black carbonized lines and imprints, and fumes them with ferric chloride, which results in exquisite warm brow/orange/yellow colors.

Her “Kamakura-Red" Ware is inspired by the texture and red pigment color of the Kamakura Bori Art (a form of art lacquerware developed from Buddhist carving from Kamakura, Japan). The red glaze symbolizes love, passion and strength. Living in Kamakura with its rich culture and its long heritage of wood carving allowed her to create a unique style, combining the best of the east and the west. 

Swanica was stimulated to re-discover the functionality of her work by being in Japan.
The form of the teapot evolved from the research done to redefine the shape and functionality of a drinking cup.

The magical number three was used to divide the surface and is repeated in the decoration. This number has lots of positive significance, especially the meaning of the three divine principles: light, heat, and life, linking it to the red color.

• “Kamakura-Red Bamboo Teapot” in the International Contemporary Teapot Exhibition in Phoenix, NCECA conference, 2009

• It is selected for The 2010 International Biennial Exhibition of Contemporary Teapot Art, Shanghai, China.

• It is part of the permanent collection of the “Pot” Museum in Shanghai, China, 2010.

• It is permanently displayed in the exhibition hall for international teapots in the Yixing Ceramic Museum in China, June 2011.

Her finished pieces hope to stir the curiosity and imagination, and are completed by use and the passing of time.

BIOGRAPHY

Swanica was influenced by a long family tradition of goldsmiths, painters and musicians and historical education. She became immersed full time in the ceramic art world in 1981 at the “L’Ecole des Arts Decoratifs” in Geneva, Switzerland, where she was educated in the art of drawing, throwing, forming, decorating and glazing ceramics. Her early works include a study of Mexican figurines as well as “Delft Blue” ceramic ware.

SwanCeramics Art Exhibitions, Galleries, Museum Displays, PUBLICATIONS, CONFERENCES, RESIDENCIES.

Europe:
Many Open Ateliers of my own workshop and gallery, Netherlands.
Many exhibitions in De Nieuwe Galerie in Amstelveen from the art group Amstellandkunst, Netherlands.
2022 + 2023: Always in the group gallery exhibition of the Dutch Luxury Design and now always online: https://dutchluxurydesign.com/en/our-artists/swanica-ligtenberg
2023, 24 February: “Eindhoven Art Fair”, Netherlands.
2023 July - Sept: Sculpture exposition with my Gingko installation in Hofje van Aerden, Netherlands.
2022, 23 November: DeNieuweGalerie exhibition at the Affordable Art Fair, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
2022 April- June: Exposition in the National Tree Museum Gimborn Arboretum in Doorn with my “Vases Slipware” Installation, Netherlands.
2022, 23, 24 March: “Brabant Art Fair” in Breda, Netherlands.
2021 Nov: Horsehair Exposition in Orleans, France.
2021 Sept: International “TEAWARE” exhibition at the gallery Arts Monopole in St.Amand, Belgium.
2021 Jun-Aug: SwanCeramics exhibition at the Amstelland Museum in Ouderkerk a/d Amstel, Netherlands.
2020 Oct: My artwork is accepted in the anniversary competition ‘Clay in Movement’ for the 40th Anniversary of  “KLEI”, the Dutch clay magazine, Netherlands.
2020 Oct Exposition “Clay in Motion”in city Den Bosch; competition from “KLEI” magazine; 1 of the winners with “In-Motion” Horsehair Raku Bowl, Netherlands.
2020 Sept “Ode to Nature” NVK (Dutch organization of Ceramicists) in the National Tree Museum “Arboretum” in Doorn, with outdoor exposition “Spread your Wings”, Netherlands.
2019 Nederlandse Vakgroep Keramisten NVK (Dutch organization of Ceramicists) 45th Anniversary in VASIM halls in Nijmegen, Netherlands.
2019 June “Water” Exposition at National Park Plitvice Lakes, Croatia.
2018 “Ode to Nature” NVK (Dutch organization of Ceramicists) in the National Tree Museum “Arboretum” in Doorn, with outdoor exposition “Gingko’s”, Netherlands.
2017 World Contemporary Ceramic Craft & Art Biennale; Bottles and Vases, Sept., Belgium.
2017 International Ceramic Tea Ware Expo, June and Nov., Belgium and the Netherlands.
2017 Astronomical and Meteorological Spring in De Grand de Paul Gallery in Den Bosch, March, Netherlands.
2017 ‘t Jagershuis Expositie in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, 18 + 19 Maart, Netherlands.
2010 Exhibition with goldsmith family in Museum "Het Valkhof" in Nijmegen, Netherlands.

Juried Group Exhibitions:
2024: Excellence Award for “Swan Teapot” in the 2nd World Ceramic Art Teapot Competition and exhibition in Xiying, China.
2024: IAC Benelux exhibition in Portugal, Caldas da Rainha with the IAC conference.
2023: 2nd Taiwan Chawan Festival, Taiwan.
2023 June - Aug: Netherlands-Korea ceramic exhibition online.
2021 Accepted as member of the Academy International of Ceramics, IAC.
2021 “Green” Cup accepted as finalist in ICAN holiday cup show online.
2021 “Comforting” emotion Vase accepted in ICAN Wall Calendar contest in section Surface Decoration for the month of Oct. 2022.
2020 March, Horsehair Raku Mishima Teapot Set accepted in “Short & Stout” teapot exhibition at the NCECA (The National Council on Education of the Ceramic Arts) conference, USA.
2019 Oct 1st Taiwan International Chawan Festival with 4 chawans, Taiwan.
2013 Palo Alto Clay and Glass Festival, in Palo Alto, CA, July, USA.
2013 Three Kamakura-Red Artworks in the Second Jakarta Contemporary Ceramic Biennale in the Museum Seni Rupa dan Keramik in Jakarta, Indonesia.
2010 Shanghai International Modern Teapot Biennale Exhibition, China.
2009 The Kamakura-Red Peony Vase at the Jingdezhen International Ceramic Fair, Nov., China.
2009 Koyasan Exhibition, Happymaker Group, Koyasan, Japan.
2009 International Contemporary Teapot Exhibition, Scottsdale, Arizona USA.
2009 San Diego Art Institute: 50th International Juried Awards Exhibition USA.
2008 California Clay 08 Exhibition from ACGA, Fresno, CA, USA.
2004 Olive Hyde Gallery, Fremont, CA, USA.
2004 The Artery in Davis, CA, USA.
2004 + 2005 Star artist in San Jose Art Museum, CA USA.
2004 Los Gatos Art Museum, Los Gatos, CA, USA.
2003 Hakone Gardens, Saratoga, CA, USA.
1987 Monmouth festival of the Arts, New Jersey, USA.
1983 Chateau d’Echandens Expositie, Zwitzerland.

Solo Exhibitions:
2020 Exposition in “Amstelland Museum” with “Spread your Wings” and “Repair your soul Kintsugi” Horsehair Raku work, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, Netherlands.
2020 Exposition in “Gallery Time for Art”, Horsehair and Kamakura-Red Art in Oegstgeest, Netherlands.
2017 -2019 National Open Studios of SwanCeramics Art Gallery, Netherlands.
2014 Open Studio in May in Los Altos CA, USA.
2013 Yu Gallery, SwanCeramics Art Exhibition, Kamakura, Japan.
2012 Ginsuzu Gallery, “Kamakura-Red Sakura” Exhibition, Kamakura, Japan.
2010 Feature Exhibition: “Wings: Love is a bird, she needs to fly” Horsehair and Kamakura-Red Exhibition in Toko Gallery in Mashiko, Japan.
2009 Ginsuzu Gallery, “Horsehair + Kamakura Red”, Kamakura, Japan.
2007 Toko Gallery, “Horsehair” Show, Mashiko, Japan.
2004 Gallery House, Feature Show: “Build Connections”, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
2002 Gallery House, Feature Show: “As White as Snow”, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
2000 Gallery House, Feature Show: “Cosmic Space”, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
1999 La Galerie Internationale, “Blue and White” exhibit, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
1998 Gallery House, Feature Show: “Open Heart”, Palo Alto, CA, USA.

Juried Galleries:
2022 - Dutch Luxury Design Organization and Gallery, Netherlands.
2022 - Dovetail Design Store in Healdsburg, CA, USA.
2020 - 2021 Gallery 8 Archer in Tongeren, Belgium.
2008- Alexander Salazar Art Gallery, San Diego, USA.
2008-2013 Yufuku Gallery, Tokyo, Japan.
2010-2013 First Light Gallery, Tokyo, Japan.
2007- 2012 Toko Gallery, Mashiko, Japan.
2006- 2010 Pez Gordo Gallery, Los Cabos San Jose, Mexico.
2006- 2012 Coupa Cosas Gallery, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
2004-2006 SOBI Gallery, Burlingame, CA, USA.
1999-2001 Elemental Art Store, Los Gatos, CA, USA.
1997-2009 Gallery House Co-op, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
1997-1999 P.R.Coonley Art Store, Palo Alto, CA, USA.

Japan:
2014 Museum of the Ceramics Park Mino, Tajimi City, HONORABLE MENTION for the “Duo Ferric Box Horsehair Set” at the 10th Mino International Ceramics Competition, Japan.
2013 Yu Gallery, SwanCeramics Art Exhibition, Kamakura Japan.
2012 Ginsuzu Gallery, “Kamakura-Red Sakura” Exhibition, Kamakura, Japan.
2010 Feature Exhibition: “Wings: Love is a bird, she needs to fly” Horsehair and Kamakura-Red Exhibition at the Toko Gallery in Mashiko, Japan.
2010 – 2013 Opening of “Swan Art Gallery” in Kamakura, Japan.
2009 Ginsuzu Gallery, “Horsehair + Kamakura Red” exhibition, Kamakura, Japan.
2009 Koyasan Exhibition in a temple with the Happymaker Group in Koyasan, Japan.
2008 Ceramic Art Museum in Mashiko, JUDGES' COMMENDATION AWARD for the “Circles-of-Life Horsehair” Plate at the International Ceramic Arts Competition of Mashiko 2008.
2008 Museum of the Ceramics Park Mino, Tajimi City, HONORABLE MENTION for the “Cosmos” Horsehair Plate at the 8th Mino International Ceramics Competition, Japan.
2008 Serving Ware+Food Exhibition with a Horsehiar Plate at the Yufuku Gallery, Tokyo, Japan.
2007 “Box” Show in Gallery In The Blue, Utsunomiya, Japan.
2007 Feature Exhibition: “Horsehair” Show in Toko Gallery in Mashiko, Japan.
2006 + 2007 Groups Show in Mitsukoshi Store in Tokyo, Japan.
2006 Ceramic Art Museum in Mashiko, SPECIAL-JUDGES AWARD for the “Four Season” Horsehair Vase at the International Ceramic Arts Competition of Mashiko 2006, Japan.

Museums:
2013 Jakarta: “Kamakura-Red Sakura” Plate in General exhibition in the Museum Seni Rupa dan Keramik, Visual Art and Ceramic Museum, Indonesia.
2010 Yixing Ceramic Art Museum: Kamakura-Red “Bamboo Teapot” in International Hall of teapots, China.
2010 Shanghai Pot Museum: Kamakura-Red “Bamboo Teapot”, China.
2009 Jingdezhen Ceramic Art Museum: Kamakura-Red “Peony Vase”, China.

Publications:
2024 On cover and in booklet of “Realiteit en Verbeelding” (Reality and Imagination) from JaKunst organization, Netherlands.
2024 Yearbook Artists of 150 Dutch visual artists, Netherlands.
2023 Dutch Luxury Design Catalogue, Netherlands.
2023 On cover and in booklet of “Kunst van alle kanten” (Art from all sides) from JaKunst organization, Netherlands.
2022 On cover and in booklet of “Keramiek en glas, Kunst met karakter” (Art with character) from JaKunst art organization, Netherlands.
2020 Poem written by Peter Schotman about my Horsehair Raku “Spread your Wings” from the National Tree Museum “Arboretum”, Netherlands
2020 Acceptance of my “In-Motion” Plate in the “Klei Gallery” in the Dutch KLEI magazine, Netherlands.
2018 Written article in Dutch magazine “Kleine K” about the Horsehair Raku decoration, Netherlands.
2017 Artist in Ledengids of "Dutch Workgroup Ceramic Artists": Nederlandse Vakgroep Keramisten, Netherlands.
2012 Artist in book of the Association of Clay and Glass of California: a compilation of members, USA.
2012 Artist in the book written by Guangzhen Zhou: The Appreciation and Collection of Modern and Contemporary Ceramic Art (Chinese version), China.
2011 Autobiographic booklet: Ceramic adventures in Japan II: “Kamakura-Red”, Japan.
2011 My 2006 Mashiko Special Judges Award “Four Seasons” Horsehair Vase is published in this 500 Raku book by Lark Crafts, USA.
2011 My 2006 Mashiko Special Judges Award “Four Seasons” Horsehair in WIKEPEDIA about the explanation of horsehair, computer.
2010 Japan Times: An artist’s love affair with ceramics, Japan.
2010 On Japanese Television: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceGiwcZzeLQ, Japan.
2010 Autobiographic booklet: Ceramic adventures in Japan I: “Horsehair”, Japan.
2009 In the Nagomi Japanese Magazine with my Horsehair Vessel as a “Mizusashi” for the tea ceremony, Japan.

Conference Presentations:
2010 Lecture at Kamakura YMCA, Japan, May 21.
2008 NOLA Fired-Up Conference in New Orleans with firing a sculptural paper-clay kiln, USA.

Residencies:
2020 “Rise” Ceramic Residency in Saint-Raphael organized and mentored by Wendy Gers, France.

AWARDS, COLLECTIONS, JURiED COMPETITIONS

Awards

Collected by Museums

JURIED COMPETITIONS and SHOWS