Ann Van Hoey Ruby object (311)

Artist: Ann Van Hoey graduated with a degree in Ceramics from the Institute for Arts and Craft in Mechelen in 2006. Having worked as a commercial engineer for twenty years, Ann’s unique ceramic practice is foregrounded by mathematical and scientific precision. Each piece begins as a mathematical equation and technical impeccability is maintained throughout her process. Her tools, however, are simple, as she uses just a rolling pin and hand tools.

Ann’s designs take the geometry of Japanese zen gardens as inspiration. The Japanese art of origami is also hugely significant, informing the technique through which she re-assembles her cuttings of clay to create the finished form.

In 2011 Ann became a member of the International Academy of Ceramics. Since then, her work has been exhibited world-wide and she has been awarded many prizes, the number of which is made all the more remarkable considering her relatively short professional ceramic career.

Description: To be displayed individually or as part of a group, this piece is perfectly balanced, with an enticingly smooth surface and a satisfying weight. Created using a smooth stoneware clay, these pieces are hand-built by rolling out perfectly flat, thin slabs, which are then moulded into one of several forms. Once the pieces are formed, they are cut and reassembled into intriguing origami-esque sculptures. The process results in endlessly unique silhouettes with the perfect blend of soft, easy curves and crisp edges and folds.

The stoneware object boasts a rich dark ruby finish, quite a contrast to Ann’s usual approach to colour. Also unlike Ann’s other work the cuts of this piece are reassembled as seams, rather than overlapped, a process which Ann says takes far more time and patience, despite the resulting easy, seamless, crease effect.

Material: Stoneware

Method: Slabs reassembled into a vessel

Dimensions: H 16cm x L 21cm x W 16cm

Origin: Made in Belgium