IAC-BENELUX Exposition during the conference in Portugal

I am part of a subgroup of the IAC: the IAC BENELUX group (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg). This group organized this exhibition and we are very busy with the organization of many other exhibitions in Europe. This was our first exhibition together and the theme was called: “Fusion of Vision”. The exposition was set up at the conference center in Caldas da Rainha and was beautifully done.

The exposition

The opening of the exposition

My works with blue slipware: “Water-of-Life” Vase and Matcha boxes.

Together with Mieke Everaet with the 2 porcelain bowls and Maria Kortenaar with the big porcelain bowl.

ON COVER AND INCLUDED IN BOOKLET OF “KERAMIEK EN GLAS, KUNST MET KARAKTER”

ON COVER AND INCLUDED IN BOOKLET OF “KERAMIEK EN GLAS, KUNST MET KARAKTER”

22 Dutch Ceramic and Glass artists showing their most beautiful works in a booklet “Ceramics and Glass, Art with Character” made by the “Jakunst-team” directed by David Polak.

Cover of “Keramiek en Glas” cover

Inside of Cover.

Inside the booklet.



The IAC/AIC Conference in Geneva Switzerland from Sept 11 - Sept 20, 2022.

This September, I participated in the International Academy of Ceramics (AIC/IAC) 50th congress, "Melting Pot", in the field of ceramics today and will discus questions of identity and interaction from Sept. 12-20, 2022, held in the International Conference Center (CICG), Geneva, Switzerland. We were altogether around 300 people from 77 countries. The International Academy of Ceramics is the principal organization representing the interests of ceramists worldwide.

The 5-day program will consist of professional and academic lectures given by specialists in various fields related to the theme, debate sessions, the opening night of the international exhibition at the Ariana Museum, inaugurations and visits to exhibitions.

Fountain in the Lac Leman in Geneva.

The “L’ecole des Arts Decoratifs” the ceramic direction I attended for 2 years in Geneva. It’s now called ”Haute Ecole des Arts Decoratifs”.

The “Mont Blanc” from across the lake.

New members announcement on a tv screen.

The first two days were filled with keynote and member lectures.
On the first night, there were three exhibition openings at the Ariana Museum , the only museum in Switzerland devoted entirely to kilncraft and so filled with worldwide ceramics and glass. Along with some excellent conference presentations, we enjoyed festivities in this museum.
On the second night we visited galleries and museum in the heart of Geneva’s Old Town.

Inside the Ariana Museum.

Opening of the exhibition in the Ariana Museum.

At the Ariana Museum.

A beautiful plate at the Arian Museum.

I received my acceptance diploma: a welcome as a new member in the IAC/AIC.

On Wednesday the General Assembly was held with a visit to the Palais des Nations (United Nations) in the afternoon with two exhibition openings. In the evening it was UNESCO night.

Visiting the United Nations.

Plate exposition at the United Nations.

The United Nations: 179 flags/nations.

Installation exposition at the United Nations.

General Assembly.

Broken Leg Chair in front of United Nations symbolizing both fragility and strength, imbalance and stability, violence and dignity.

The next day we had a bus excursion. It included the opening reception of the 1st half of the exhibition of, "Melting Pot: National SwissCeramics", at the Museum of Art and History of Neuchâtel (MahN). Then, a guided tour at La Ferme des Tilleuls, Renens: “Materia”. Finally, the exhibition opening at the Château de Nyon: “Melting Pot: Swissceramics National Exhibition” (2nd part) with dinner at the chateau. The view from the chateau was spectacular.

Inside hall staircase MahN Museum.

Opening exposition at Mahn Museum.

One of the many art works.

Aline Favre: She was my teacher at the L’ecole des Arts Decoratifs and many more art works.

Artist Danielle.

La Ferme des Tilleuls: artist Danielle.

One of many artworks: Art work from Claudia at the chateau.

View from the Chateau de Nyon.

Many teapots from one artist.

We had round table discussions on Friday morning and the afternoon was free to visit galleries.
The closing dinner of the 50th IAC Congress at the Institut Florimont on Friday evening was a huge success: well attended with good food and dancing.

All day Saturday many galleries throughout the city, especially Carouge, exhibited a variety of ceramics with receptions with exhibition openings that various groups visited on a walking tours. Overall, there were more than 30 exhibitions in national and private museums, art galleries and historical or contemporary institutions.

One art work I liked at one of the expositions at Carouge.

One art work I liked at one of the expositions at Carouge.

One art work I liked at one of the expositions at Carouge.

“Bling Bling” exposition at Carouge: Zuckerberg, Musk, Bezos by Stephanie.

“Bling, Bling” Exposition

“Bling Bling” exposition at Carouge: Shamai

“Bling Bling” exposition at Carouge

On Monday, Sept. 19, there was an all day excursion provided by SwissCeramics. It included 25 people, who took advantage of the opportunity to visit outside Geneva. We visited museums and galleries in Yverdons-les Bains and Prangins, plus enjoyed a delightful lunch and dinner together.

I had a great time and was glad to be back in Switzerland after 45 years. It was wonderful to see many ceramist friends from around the world.

On our way to Neuchatel.

Chateau d’Echandens, the village in lived in.

On our way.

Amstellanddag/Open studio on June the 12th!!!

I am ready with my art in the frontyard for the upcoming “Amstellanddag”. I participate with my SwanCeramics Art Gallery to show that art is an important expression influenced by living in this beautiful landscape and living along the river “The Amstel”. The gallery is open the whole day from 10am to 5pm.

It is Amstellanddag on June 12, 2022. This day is organized to show and enjoy the beautiful cultural and historical “Amstelland” with its farmhouses, nature, art en recreational enjoyment of this region. Very important is to show and discuss how to protect this special environment of the “Amstelland” surroundings.

Please, come and visit and enjoy my art.

Achterdijk 29, 1191JH,
Ouderkerk aan de Amstel

My new “Tulipa” slipware vase mounted on a pedestal in the front yard!

Map of all the events.

Number 9 is SwanCeramics Art Gallery.

The frontpage of the flyer.

Dovetail Gallery, Healdsburg, California

The Dovetail Gallery, a fine art design luxury store, accepted my horsehair works which I was able to carry in my suitcases recently for a visit. I am very glad to have some work again in the USA, where I lived for 30 years. Thank you so much Patricia for your appreciation and acceptance.

https://www.shopdovetail.com/about.html

The gallery.

The gallery.

Kintsugi Horsehair Raku Plate.

4 Horsehair Raku Plates.

Mishima Horsehair Raku Plate and “In-Motion” Horsehair Raku Vase.

Finalist in ICAN 2nd Holiday Cup Show

You have been selected as Finalist winner for the ICAN 2nd Annual Holiday Cup Show! By being selected, you will have the opportunity of your work being displayed in ICAN's online gallery and viewed by thousands of fellow ICAN members; along with the other winners of the 2nd Annual Holiday Cup Show, November 11– January 7, 2022.

https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/Contests/ICANOnlineExhibition/ICAN-Online-Juried-Show-Exhibition-Archives-198456/2nd-annual-ican-cup-show-gallery

ICAN = International Ceramic Artist Network

Slipware “GREEN” Cup

Artworks at Gallery 8 Archer in Tongeren, Belgium

Today, I brought art works to be included in Gallery 8 Archer owned by Nadine Van Oost in the city of Tongeren, the first established town in Belgium. The Romans ran their road, towers and walls through the city. Hence they have a beautiful Gallo-Roman museum and a big statue of the brave Ambiorix who was prince of the Eburones, leader of a Belgic tribe of north-eastern Gaul and a Belgian national hero because of his resistance against Julius Caesar, as written in Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico.

Nadine’s gallery is situated in the center in an old house which she is renovating and the gallery is beautiful!

Gallery 8 Archer in downtown Tongeren.

Gallery 8 Archer in downtown Tongeren.

Kamakura-Red glaze, Horsehair Raku on glaze Chawans, Slipware colored Chawans (Japanes teabowls), Colored glazed bowls.

Kamakura-Red glaze, Horsehair Raku on glaze Chawans, Slipware colored Chawans (Japanes teabowls), Colored glazed bowls.

Cut+Paste plus Mishima plus Horsehair Raku with horsehair, sugar and fuming of ferric chloride artworks and other artists.

Cut+Paste plus Mishima plus Horsehair Raku with horsehair, sugar and fuming of ferric chloride artworks and other artists.

Nadine’s work to the left with porcelain and pewter. My works with the “Emotion” Vases and “Dance” sculptural Vases and other artists.

Nadine’s work to the left with porcelain and pewter. My works with the “Emotion” Vases and “Dance” sculptural Vases and other artists.

“Broken” Heart, “Empty” Heart, “Full-of-love” Heart Colored Slipware Vases and Colored Slipware “Dance” Sculptural Vases. Stained glass smiley face made by Nadine’s daughter.

“Broken” Heart, “Empty” Heart, “Full-of-love” Heart Colored Slipware Vases and Colored Slipware “Dance” Sculptural Vases. Stained glass smiley face made by Nadine’s daughter.

Horsehair Raku Mishima works.

Horsehair Raku Mishima works.

Red clay, white slip, engraved, colored glazes bowls.

Red clay, white slip, engraved, colored glazes bowls.

Art Eindhoven in the Netherlands

Gefeliciteerd! Uw werk is positief geballoteerd voor de digitale presentatie tijdens Art Eindhoven (NABK), Zaterdag 4 en Zondag 5 September 2021.

Uw werken met omschrijvingen worden tijdens de beurs op 4 schermen getoond, u krijgt een vermelding in de catalogus en er wordt 1 werk getoond op de website. Na afloop van de beurs wordt de volledige presentatie van werken gedeeld op Facebook en Instagram.

Met vriendelijke groeten,
Art Eindhoven

https://arteindhoven.nl/

Congratulations! Your work is accepted in the digital presentation during Art Eindhoven Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September 2021.
Your works with descriptions will be presented on 4 screens during the exposition, you will be mentioned in the catalogue and 1 work will be shown on the website. Your works will be presented on Facebook and Instagram after the exhibition.

https://arteindhoven.nl/digitale-presentaties-2021/

June 2021 Exhibition at the Amstelland Museum

Today, the exposition of some of my yellow-red and red Kamakura-Red works are shown in the Amstelland Museum in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel in the Netherlands.

Finally, the museum can open again and there is a groups exposition of Inge Wiedijk (Paintings and Photography), Jos Out sculptures and Swanica Ligtenberg ceramics.

https://www.historischamstelland.nl/ontdekken/museum-ouder-amstel

We’re open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm - 4pm: a small start of a big continuation!

SwanCeramics art works.

SwanCeramics art works.

Feeling Centered? works, Connection Vases and Wing Chalice.

Feeling Centered? works, Connection Vases and Wing Chalice.

Hokusai Wave Plate, River Bowl, Flower-of-Life Plate, Bamboo Plate and Sakura Box. All with the Kamakura-Red Glaze.

Hokusai Wave Plate, River Bowl, Flower-of-Life Plate, Bamboo Plate and Sakura Box. All with the Kamakura-Red Glaze.

Glazed Horsehair Pitchers.

Glazed Horsehair Pitchers.

Amphora, River Vase, Yellow Tripod, River Tripod.

Amphora, River Vase, Yellow Tripod, River Tripod.

"Spread your Wings" in ACGA online Garden Art show

My garden art installation “Spread Your Wings” is accepted in The Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California “ACGA” first online exhibition.

https://acga.net/garden-art-an-acga-online-exhibition/

Please, enjoy the exhibition!

Horsehair Raku “Spread Your Wings” installation.

Horsehair Raku “Spread Your Wings” installation.

Poem about my "Spread your Wings" by Peter Schotman

A new customer, Peter Schotman, who bought the big wing-set of the series of “Spread your Wings” , felt inspired by my works to write a poem about it (it is in Dutch) (He allowed me to put this poem and his name on my website). I feel very honored:

Op Vleugelen

van verlangen vlieg ik
-nog in veilige dekking-
een ongewisse toekomst
tegemoet

ben ik wel vorstbestendig
en coranoproof of
verspreid ik onnozele gans
de Chinese vogelpest

in dit arboretum van
eeuwenoude bomen
de moderne tijd haar
bespaard gebleven

geef mijn harde inborst
de kracht haar roots
te volgen met een boodschap
van verwachting en openheid

PETER SCHOTMAN

“Spread your Wings” in Von Gimborn Arboretum National Tree Museum in Doorn

“Spread your Wings” in Von Gimborn Arboretum National Tree Museum in Doorn




"KLEI in beweging"/"CLAY in motion"

Yesterday, the exhibition opened for the 40th anniversary for the Dutch clay magazine “KLEI”. The title is: “Clay in motion”.
I am one of the 40 accepted artists.

As of yesterday you can see my work at a cultural center HUIS 73, Hinthamerstraat 74, 5211MR in the city
‘s Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. The center is open from October 1 - October 25, 2020 from 9am to 9pm (on Saturdays and Sundays till 5pm).

You are all welcome and enjoy all the beautiful “MOVING” art!!!

%22In-Motion%22 Horsehair Raku Bowl_S.Ligtenberg_1 copy.jpg
*IMG_1759.jpeg
*IMG_1760.jpeg
Works from Julias van Dam and Els Janssens

Works from Julias van Dam and Els Janssens

Works from Loes Koth Penders and Orly Shemesh

Works from Loes Koth Penders and Orly Shemesh

1st Price: Wilma Hornsveld with 'teapot wink'; 2nd price: Hilde Butterman with 'Dordrecht'; 3rd price: Jeanne in Dorsthorst with 'Outdoor'.

1st Price: Wilma Hornsveld with 'teapot wink'; 2nd price: Hilde Butterman with 'Dordrecht'; 3rd price: Jeanne in Dorsthorst with 'Outdoor'.



Exposition at the Dutch National Tree Museum Gimborn with "Spread your Wings"

Tomorrow, the exposition will finally open after the postponement of several months due to the Corona virus. The Dutch Ceramics Group NVK and the National Tree Museum Gimborn organize together for the 4th time a ceramic exposition in this beautiful tree garden of the museum from September 5 to October 25, 2020.
47 NVK-members show 70 pieces of work with the theme “Ode to Nature”.

It is a beautiful park and rich vegetation and especially now a good chance to be outdoors, enjoy nature and beautiful art!!!

https://www.nvk-keramiek.nl/

https://www.bomenmuseum.nl/

There will be no opening reception.

I show my Horsehair Raku “Spread Your Wings” installation; The tallest/smallest wing is about 2 meters/ 6”8’ tall; the lowest/biggest wing is about 80 cm/2 feet tall.
https://www.swanceramics.com/#/installations/

Horsehair Raku “Spread your Wings”.

Horsehair Raku “Spread your Wings”.

2020 Ode aan de Natuur_flyer p2_klein.jpg

"Repair your soul"

“Kintsugi” is a Japanese method of repairing broken ceramics. During my many movings from Japan back to the USA, within the USA and the return to the Netherlands, some of my work broke. Some of them beyond repair but some I was able to mend.
With this Kintsugi method the damage of the broken objects will be aggrandized by filling the cracks with GOLD. It is believed that when something suffered damage and has a history, it becomes more beautiful. “All of us developed scars throughout our lives. These scars should not be hidden. Our imperfections can be the birth of something new”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LMKGte0UU

Some of my restored work:

“Caldera” 2 times Horsehair Raku fired; fumed with Ferric Chloride and Kintsugi repair.

“Caldera” 2 times Horsehair Raku fired; fumed with Ferric Chloride and Kintsugi repair.

Cut+paste Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Cup

Cut+paste Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Cup

“In-Motion” cut+paste Horsehair Kintsugi Vase

“In-Motion” cut+paste Horsehair Kintsugi Vase

“Mishima” cut+paste Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Cup

“Mishima” cut+paste Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Cup

“Golden Sun” Glazed Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Plate

“Golden Sun” Glazed Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Plate

“Swanflower” Horsehair Raku Kinstugi Vase

“Swanflower” Horsehair Raku Kinstugi Vase

White Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Bowl

White Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Bowl

“Volcano” 2 times Horsehair Raku fired Kintsugi Bowl

“Volcano” 2 times Horsehair Raku fired Kintsugi Bowl

White Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Bowl

White Horsehair Raku Kintsugi Bowl


"Rise" Ceramics Residency 6

It is about a week ago I left France and the ceramics residency ended kind of abruptly because of the Corona virus crisis. Residents left earlier. Fortunately, all the projects were fired, finished and critiqued and we had our last dinner together.

Dr. Wendy Gers accepted me for this Rise Residency 2020 in Southern France for coaching a group of people coming from over the world to deepen research in ceramics and strengthen our art expression. And how to make ourselves stronger and manifest in the art world.
She is a very friendly, open and generous woman. She guides and helps you finding your way and supporting you in every way. She sees your needs and pushes you to discover new and different ways with a vast knowledge of how the art world works with all its artists.
She understands groups dynamics, is very patient and finds a way to make it work for everybody in the group.

For me she was a great support and gently nudged me in a direction I found for my art expression which I can continue to use in my future work, helped me with my publicity and how to get more out there.

Thank you Wendy for this wonderful residency.

I would like to thank Lauren Kearns, the owner of the studio. She organizes international artist residency exchange programs: the IARE. She helped and guided us in any way possible to make the residency a successful experience.

And then of course my fellow residents who deepened this experience with many knowledgeable conversations, helpful hints, tears and laughter!

A multi-colored slip and underglaze engraved stoneware plate.

A multi-colored slip and underglaze engraved stoneware plate.

Some final products.

A multi-colored slip and underglaze engraved stoneware vase.

A multi-colored slip and underglaze engraved stoneware vase.

A multi-colored slip and underglaze engraved porcelain vase.

A multi-colored slip and underglaze engraved porcelain vase.

A multi-colored slip and underglaze engraved stoneware vase.

A multi-colored slip and underglaze engraved stoneware vase.

3 engraved works and the yellow plate decorated with underglazes.

3 engraved works and the yellow plate decorated with underglazes.

Having fun with rectangles to build a sculpture and I used the new decoration technique.

Having fun with rectangles to build a sculpture and I used the new decoration technique.

The collaboration dish from Kara, Wendy and I.

The collaboration dish from Kara, Wendy and I.

During the weekend of March 7 and 8 we visited some museums in Marseille and Nice. Wendy organized that the curator Pierre-Nicolas Bounakoff showed us around the exhibition “Voyage, voyage” in the MUSEM of Marseille. Artist Charlotte Pringuey-Cessac showed us her works in the Terra Amata museum and her exhibition in the Mamac Museum in Nice. We did go to the MAEGHT Museum St. Paul de Vence: a modern art museum and sculpture garden.

In the MAMAC Museum in Nice.

In the MAMAC Museum in Nice.

Representation of porcelain chards fired on different temperatures and impressed with Venuses.

Representation of porcelain chards fired on different temperatures and impressed with Venuses.

The line wall drawing is made in situ with charcoal. This is prove of human life and representation of their world more than 30.000 years ago.

The line wall drawing is made in situ with charcoal. This is prove of human life and representation of their world more than 30.000 years ago.

Marc ChagallThese are some works from the MAEGHT museum St. Paul de Vence

Marc Chagall

These are some works from the MAEGHT museum St. Paul de Vence

Alberto Giacometti

Alberto Giacometti

Joan Miro

Joan Miro

Alexander Calder

Alexander Calder

A guest exhibition of Ra’anan Levy in the MAEGHT Museum. I liked it because of all the perspectives.

A guest exhibition of Ra’anan Levy in the MAEGHT Museum. I liked it because of all the perspectives.

- Ra'anan Levy 2.jpeg
- Ra'anan Levy.jpeg
Borders, migration, mass tourism… these days, questions about travel, exile and getting from one place to another are recurring themes in the act of creating art. The exhibition “Voyage Voyages” invites us to feel the creative immensity that finds a…

Borders, migration, mass tourism… these days, questions about travel, exile and getting from one place to another are recurring themes in the act of creating art. The exhibition “Voyage Voyages” invites us to feel the creative immensity that finds a natural home at the Mucem in Marseille and which, since it opened, has favoured a dialogue between cultures.

Like Max Ernst many artist find refuge along the French Riviera during the 2nd World War.

Like Max Ernst many artist find refuge along the French Riviera during the 2nd World War.

Near the MUSEM Museum.

Near the MUSEM Museum.

One of the winners of the 2020 ICAN Juried Exhibition Short and Stout!

I am one of the 20 winners of the 2020 ICAN (International Ceramics Artists Network) Juried Exhibition at the field for “Short and Stout” teapots. This year’s juror, Katie Sleyman selected 20 Ceramic works to be included in this year’s exhibition, which will be on display at the ICAN booth (#400 in the convention center) from March 25 - 27 2020, at the NCECA Conference in Richmond, Virginia, USA.

All the Winners.

All the Winners.

IMG_0745.jpeg
Horsehair Raku Mishima Teapot Set.

Horsehair Raku Mishima Teapot Set.

1st Taiwan International Chawan Festival, 2019

Five Chawans of mine participate in the 1st Taiwan International Chawan Festival.
This event will be held from November 1 - November 11, 2019 and is held at the ZHU-NAN Snake kiln in Taiwan.
There is a wonderful program will all kinds of events and travel. Unfortunately, I am not going this year. I visited Taiwan and this beautiful snake kiln last year.

IMG_0293.jpeg
Glazed Horsehair Raku Chawan 1

Glazed Horsehair Raku Chawan 1

“Flower” colored Chawan

“Flower” colored Chawan


“Splashed” Colored Chawan

“Splashed” Colored Chawan

Glazed Horsehair Raku Chawan

Glazed Horsehair Raku Chawan

I did sell at least 3 of my bowls!!! I am happy!

IMG_0301.jpg
All the participating artists.

All the participating artists.

Written article in Dutch about Horsehair decoration

Mels Booms the editor of the Duch clay magazine “De Kleine K” (The Small K) asked me to write about horsehair decoration for his “What and How” part in his magazine because of my long experience with this decoration technique.
Underneath you can read the Dutch version of the article. The English version is incorporated in my first biographical booklet of “My Japanese Adventures 1” about my horsehair work accomplishments in Japan.

First page.

First page.

Second page.

Second page.

Third page.

Third page.