LEIPZIG, Germany — Claudia Biehne (b. 1974, Leipzig) once told Art Aurea that “artistically crafted porcelain is still a young and uncharted genre.” While we suppose that some could quibble with her on that point, she uses this outlook as an opportunity for experimentation.
Porcelain object from the “Lumos” series.
Her work speaks for itself; seldom do we see a studio potter with such a range. We see some of her sculptures with curling arms reminiscent of an octopus, or other works that appear to be made from glowing tissue, others appearing like delicate, knitted lace. Our favorite may be her bowls, which appear to hold nothing but a warm, soft light. Very peaceful. These are contrasted against thick, dense works that look as though they were plucked from the sea floor. Her artist statement sheds some light on her practice, especially for some of her knitted forms.
“Today the light and fine bowl objects are embossed with delicate lithophanes (relief designs in the translucent material). Claudia Biehne collects and presses flowers and leaves for this purpose. She has since learnt exactly how to handle the individual parts of the plant and when and how she can place them into a casting mould, how she needs to cast them and how the objects need to be dried so that they can be integrated with the other structures and arranged to set the scene. Furthermore her work is in stark contrast to the usual idea of the finished form: unusual moulds, folds as well as creases and broken frames are all included.”
Claudia Bienhe, porcelain object from the “Between the Tides”
Claudia Bienhe, porcelain object from the “Lumos” series.
Visitors to Leipzig can see her at work in the studio she has shared with her business partner Stefan Passig since 2007. Passig photographs, categorizes and promotes Claudia’s work.
Claudia studied at the University of Art and Design Halle, at the École des Beaux Arts in Luxembourg, at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, at the University of Art and Design Helsinki and at the Burg Giebichenstein. She became a member of the International Academy of Ceramics in 2015.
Do you love or loathe these works of contemporary ceramic art? Let us know in the comments.
Click to see a larger image.
Claudia Biehne, Porcelain object from the “Lumos” series. Click to see a larger image.
Claudia Biehne, porcelain object from the “Metamorphosis” series, 50 x 65 x 50 cm. Click to see a larger image.
Claudia Biehne, porcelain object from the “Between the Tides” series. Click to see a larger image.
Photographs by Stefan Passig. Click to see a larger image.
These are fabulous! The Between the tides work is amazing in detail and craft, and scale as well. I love the reference to science and the subtlety of it as well. The lace work is also wonderful, if referring to a time that may have passed by.
I absolutely LOVE the beauty and originality as well as the exquisite craftsmanship of this work. It draws you in to its world and does not bore or disappoint.
Magnificent work
In NYC any stores you would like me to see for your jewelry if I can.
Very seductive, I’ll admit. But most of it is way too affected. Lace, wrinkles/folds, leaves, and everything in between….too, too much. I am most intrigued by the “Between the Tides” work.