Danish Women in Contemporary Ceramics

DANISH WOMEN In Contemporary Ceramics

25 Main St Concord, MA 01742 | T: +1 978 369 0278 | E: info@lucylacoste.com

DanishWomen in Contemporary Ceramics December 12, 2020- January 5, 2021

Beate Andersen / Anne Floche, Mette Maya Gregersen / Bente Skjøttgaard, Charlotte Thorup / Barbro Åberg / Gunhild Aaberg

Lucy Lacoste Gallery

Lucy Lacoste Gallery is pleased to close the 2020 season with an all-female exhibition: Danish Women in Contemporary Ceramics, December 12th – January 5th, highlighting the leading role women have played in the development of ceramics in Denmark.

This exhibition features the work of Beate Andersen, Anne Floche, Mette Maya Gregersen, Bente Skjøttgaard, Charlotte Thorup, Barbro Åberg, and Gunhild Aaberg, artists in varying stages of their careers, of whom have received international recognition through exhibition.

Why have women taken such a leading role in Danish Ceramics, in contrast to other societies? Denmark, a country with an abundance of clay, has a long history of ceramics going back to the Vikings. Ceramic creativity has been fostered by the manufactories such as Royal Copenhagen which hired female artists as designers and gave them studio space to freely create their own work. The country’s affinity for the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century was conducive to female artists setting up independent studios. In addition, there were teachers who encouraged individual expression in ceramics.

Creative art pottery began to develop at the end of the 19th century. Today, the most recognized ceramic artists in Denmark -Lucy Lacoste are women.

“The fact that Denmark boasts a flourishing ceramic ecosystem is because of women. Not only do artists like Bodil Manz continue to push boundaries well into their 80s, but they do so within a network of galleries, residencies, studios, and collectives founded by women. As artists like Barbro Åberg, considered an emerging artist when the exhibition From the Kilns of Denmark stormed these shores back in 2002, become leading figures, a new generation is emerging. Many young artists are turning to pottery and functional design, which fits hand-in-glove with the Nordic Cuisine movement. Others gleefully mix media (and influences) in a quest to wring every ounce of expression from their clay.

As young Danish ceramists take these two very different paths, only one thing is certain. Women will lead the way.”

Garth Johnson Paul Phillips and Sharon Sullivan Curator of Ceramics Everson Museum of Art

Photo Credit: George Bouret Creative Director: Zoe Rose

Beate Andersen Beate Andersen (b. 1942) was educated in the early sixties at the Danish School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen belongs to the elite within Danish ceramics. After graduation she established a studio with Jane Reumert (1942 – 2016) and Gunhild Aaberg on Lille Strandstaede, which still exists today. She was in the museum exhibitions Danish Ceramic Design (1981 -82), From the Kilns of Denmark, 2002, and A View from Denmark, 2008 at Lacoste Gallery.

Beate Andersen Bowl: Inspiration from the old Persian 6.50h x 9w in

Beate Andersen Pot: Inspiration from the old Persepolis 8h x 6w in

Beate Andersen Hexagonal: Inspiration from Old Persian 5h x 5w x 6d in

Beate Andersen Hexagonal: Inspiration from the old Persian I 4h x 4w x 4d in

Beate Andersen Hexagonal: Inspiration from the old Persian II 4h x 4w x 4d in

Anne Floche Anne Floche (b. 1952) was a student of Gutte Ericksen at the Jutland Academy of Fine Arts, Aarhus. She is represented by Lucy Lacoste Gallery. Her use of different brushes, sticks, knives, and fingers allow her to manipulate the flexible clay freely.

Whether laying out slabs of clay or constructing threedimensional forms, Floche takes advantage of the “desert-like� material to help her fully express what is on her mind.

Anne Floche Blue/red, squares 15.50h x 14.50w in

L: Anne Floche Pale blue/ squares 16h x 14.50w Artist, Artwork Title in Medium Dimensions R: Anne Floche Pale green/ square 3.74h x 4.13w in

Anne Floche Ribbed/ 3 circles 18h x 14.50w in

Anne Floche Pale green/ dotted 13h x 8w in

Mette Maya Gregersen Mette Maya Gregersen (b. 1973) has a unique ceramic expression based on movement, both from her observations of nature and her own personal journey through life. Her path has led her through many countries, living and studying, and ultimately gaining a better understanding of her lived experiences, which she embodies in her artforms. Beginning her formal training as a ceramicist in London, she has moved throughout Europe and shown on the international stage for over a decade.

Mette Maya Gergersen Blue Wave 19.50h x 22w x 13d in

Mette Maya Gergersen Geometry of Echoes 7h x 13w x 11d in

Mette Maya Gergersen Transpired Time 6h x 18w x 16d in

Mette Maya Gergersen Floating Dreams 10h x 20w x 12d in

Mette Maya Gergersen Porcelain Crush 14h x 16w x 12d in

Bente Skjøttgaard Bente Skjøttgaard (b. 1961) takes inspiration from an amalgamation of sources that continue to push her to experiment with clay. She interacts with the material in such a manner that defies the boundaries of traditional form, often producing works that express her unique interpretation of nature’s forms. Skjøttgaard has a long history of internationally showcasing her talent throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States and was featured in the museum exhibition From the Kilns of Denmark, 2002.

Bente Skjottgaard Metamorphosis: Purple #1649 8.27h x 4.33w in

Bente Skjottgaard Metamorphosis: #1786 11.81h x 5.51w in

Bente Skjottgaard Metamorphosis: Green #1779 10.24h x 4.72w in

Bente Skjottgaard Various Pieces

Charlotte Thorup Charlotte Thorup (b. 1973) has had a prolific career in ceramics.

Graduating in 2000 from the Glass and Ceramic School of Bornholm, she has since traveled and shown internationally, from New Zealand to Japan, and throughout Europe. Within the United States, she has shown twice at Lucy Lacoste Gallery, first in Danish Contemporary (2016) and now in the upcoming show Danish Women in Contemporary Ceramics (2020).

Charlotte Thorup Architectural Artwork, wall object

Charlotte Thorup Architectural Artwork

Charlotte Thorup Architectural Artwork

Gunhild Aaberg Gunhild Aaberg (b. 1939) is a renowned Danish contemporary artist and ceramist based in Copenhagen with her studio on Lille Strandstraede near the harbor. Known for sculpture, she spends weeks hand building a piece, reshaping it many times.

If she is not satisfied, she destroys it. If the piece is not ‘put to sleep’, she then focuses on the surface using different tools, followed by layers of slips and glaze. Aaberg was in the museum exhibitions Danish Ceramic Design (1981 -82) and From the Kilns of Denmark, 2002 and A View from Denmark, 2008 at Lacoste Gallery

Gunhild Aaberg No Title 12h x 7w x 5d in

Gunhild Aaberg Being 11h x 9w x 6d in

Gunhild Aaberg Eruption 8h x 9w x 4d in

Barbro Åberg Barbro Åberg, born in Sweden in 1958, studied ceramics first in the United States before going to the Art School in Sweden and then the School of Arts and Crafts, Denmark. She has lived in Denmark since 1986. Åberg is known for breathtaking ceramic sculpture inspired by nature and science. Through her use of paper clay and her own artistic exploration, she has changed the language of contemporary ceramics. Åberg was in the traveling museum exhibition The Kilns of Denmark, 2002, and A View from Denmark, at Lacoste Gallery in 2008. Åberg, represented by Lucy Lacoste Gallery since 2008, has had two solo exhibitions here.

Barbro Åberg Double Dark Porcupine 14h x 14w x 3d in

Barbro Åberg Black Bodhi Tree 16h x 14w x 3d in

Barbro Åberg Swirly Orb I 9h x 9w x 9d in