Celebrating 25 years of ceramics and glass by Gallery Carla Koch
Gallery Carla Koch in Amsterdam is one of the few still-active galleries that specialises in studio ceramics and glass. These are special genres, where artists are free to follow their intuition. Artists stretch their technical skills to the maximum while experimenting with clay and glass, which results in unexpected, occasionally alienating forms, that, while clearly descending from traditional pot and vase forms, surprise the viewer by their free forms and adventurous container-like qualities.
AnneMarie Laureys, ceramique, 24 x 28 x 25 cm
Many of these art works found their way to museums. Carla Koch says: “This unique niche doesn’t always get the attention that it deserves, while so many interesting things are taking place. That’s why I’ll continue to promote this genre via art fairs and exhibitions.”
Carine Neutjens, glass, 28 x 19 x 24 cm
For the last 25 years, Gallery Carla Koch cooperated with established names and then-newcomers, such as Jan van der Vaart, Veronica Pöschl, Wouter Dam, Wietske van Leeuwen, Anima Roos, Anita Manshanden Hanneke Fokkelman, Susan Hammond, and others. The gallery also reoresents international artists such as Bodil Manz, Kayoko Hoshino, Anne Marie Laureys, and Rik Vandewege. Many artists have been working with the gallery for over 20 years, and it’s this long-term cooperation that forms the gallery’s special strength.
Barbara Nanning, glass, "Go with the Flow", 37 x 33 x 19 cm
A relatively new addition are the reliefs by Ben Oldenhof. After a successful career as a studio ceramicist, Oldenhof started creating sculptural forms made of metal and waste material. More recently he started working on reliefs where he paints mesh and glass fibre grids with varnishes and pigments. This special, three-dimensional technique borrows from both painting and clay modelling, and results in intense works with lots of room for free associations. Oldenhof’s work was a success during the recent PAN fair, and will also be present at the KunstRAI.
Ben Oldenhof, fiber with lacque, 509, 100 x 100 cm
For more work of "Gallery Carla Koch" at Gallerease, have a look here!
Text by Peter van Kester
