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©Ann Van Hoey
©Ann Van Hoey
©Ann Van Hoey
©Ann Van Hoey
©Ann Van Hoey

Ann Van Hoey

Ann Van Hoey Ceramicist
Contact
Dutch, French, English, German
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+32 478521604
©Ann Van Hoey

A life-changing journey in clay

  • • Ann is inspired by modernism, minimalism and geometry
  • • She is a member of the International Academy of Ceramics
  • • In 2018 she was a finalist in the Loewe Craft Prize

For most people, turning 50 is a milestone experience. In the case of Ann Van Hoey, it also brought a total life change, because she started a new career as a craftswoman and artist. “For my 50th birthday, in 2006, I decided to try to become a professional ceramicist. My plan was to apply for the big international biennials and see what would happen. It has become an amazing journey: sometimes I still can’t believe it myself!” After graduating in ceramics from the Institute for Arts and Craft in Mechelen, Belgium, she opened her own studio. Only two years after, her work Etude Géometrique was selected for the International Biennal of Contemporary Ceramics, Vallauris, France. Ann was awarded with the rank of Commander in the Order of the Crown by King Philippe of Belgium for her achievements in ceramics.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Dries Van den Brande
  • © Dries Van den Brande
  • © Dries Van den Brande
  • © Dries Van den Brande
  • © Dries Van den Brande
Photo: © Dries Van den Brande
Objects from the papier-mâché series

the Japanese art of origami, Ann has developed a technique of folding paper-thin sheets of clay, then shaping each piece in a mould. Once fired, the texture of the slightly grogged stoneware resembles papier-mâché.

Length 16 cm
Width 26 cm
Height 22 cm

Photo: © Dries Van den Brande
“Earthenware Ferrari” series

An eye-catching coating of Ferrari-red car paint is fused onto the clay. The combination of traditional and contemporary industrial materials invites the observer to reflect on the balance between fine craftsmanship and consumerism.

Length 14 cm
Width 20 cm
Height 18 cm

Photo: © Dries Van den Brande
“Etude Géométrique” series

Ann has developed a technique of folding thin sheets of clay, inspired by the Japanese art of origami. This piece is composed of two hand-flattened paper-thin sheets of fine French dark earthenware. The beautiful natural colour of the clay is emphasised by the lack of any decoration or embellishment.

Length 15 cm
Width 22 cm
Height 17 cm

Photo: © Dries Van den Brande
“Earthenware Ferrari” series

Ann has developed a technique of flattening clay into paper-thin sheets, which she then moulds into shape. By combining traditional materials with industrial innovation, she invites us to reflect on the balance between fine craftsmanship and consumerism. In this unusual piece, the clay was fused with a coating of Ferrari-red and white car paint.

Length 18 cm
Width 31 cm
Height 26 cm

Photo: © Dries Van den Brande
“Earthenware Ferrari” series II

For this piece, an arresting coating of Ferrari-yellow car paint was fused onto paper-thin sheets of hand-flattened earthenware clay. Ann’s technique of combining traditional materials with industrial innovation invites us to reflect on the balance between fine craftsmanship and consumerism.

Length 15 cm
Width 28 cm
Height 28 cm

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