Exhibition | A Tribute to 70 Years of Ceramics from Atelier Buffile

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France— Today we bring to you a vast exhibition which paid tribute to nearly a century of ceramics by Atelier Buffile (June 24 – October 1, 2017). The historic works from 1945 to 1984, by various artists including Simon Van der Ven, Tony Ramos, Romain Buffile and founder Jean Buffile, were displayed at several venues across the city.

They offer a brief overview of this creative work from the post-war period and the amazing artistic expression that followed. The plates and vases on display show an unexpected connection between the enamels, and laid the creative foundations for the studio as their shapes are still in use today.

Featured image: Jean Paul van Lith, 2010

The ceramic works represent years full of creation, including large graphic black and white plates and bold colors.

There are two rooms devoted to collaborations with painters such as Paul Coupille; Gérard Drouillet; Ken Tisa; Louis Molle; Hervé Maury; Tony Ramos; ceramicist Simon Van der Ven; sculptor Trevor Gould; ceramicist and glassworker Jean-Paul van Lith and artist Louise Bourgoin. Not forgetting the collaboration with Maison Pierre Frey that produced a fabric and ceramic collection, and another recent one with fashion accessory designer Jamin Puech.

The Franck Marcelin gallery had an exhibition of ceramics inspired by “Papuan” art and the Gallery Camille Moirenc had a series of photographs of the fire that destroyed the studio in January 2015. Other venues included Pavillon de Vendôme and Musée du Vieil Aix.

Simon Van der Ven wrote of the exhibition and his time at the studio:

On a shelf above my carving bench sits a small tile with the Buffile studio stamp. It is a daily reminder of the time (1996) Monique and Vincent welcomed me to their studio, into the ocean of their knowledge and experience, into the warmth and generosity of their family. They opened the world of clay to me and modeled the deep satisfaction of a life in clay. Twenty-one years later, as full-time ceramic artist, I continue to strive to live and work with teh grace, beauty and joie-de-vivre of Les Buffiles. I am forever grateful.

Atelier Buffile was founded by Léonie and Jean Buffile in 1945 in Aix-en-Provence. It is now owned by Vincent and

Text (edited) from Atelier Buffile and Van der Ven.

Do you love or loathe this exhibition from the worlds of contemporary ceramic art and contemporary ceramics? Let us know in the comments