Anne Türn

Ceramicist

©Vilge Lahtmets

©Mihkel Merimaa

©Marilis Ehvert

©Vilge Lahtmets

Making miracles with materials

Anne creates futuristic glass objects...
...and unusual, organic, ceramic sculptures
She is an artisan who walks her own path

From an early age, Anne Türn grew up with her hands in clay alongside her mother, who was a ceramic technologist. She even built her own kiln during her studies at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Ever since then, she has taken her own independent path, overturning assumptions, pushing boundaries, searching out the unknown and trying to find unique outcomes. She has pursued her career fearlessly, taking clay and its possibilities to new heights by combining it with glass, light and other interesting materials. Her delicate yet enchanting works have been exhibited around the world, and Anne has been recognised by several international and local awards, including the GIC Biennale Icheon, Prize de Caroque and Ceramics, and the Colours Award Faenza.

Interview

©Vilge Lahtmets

What techniques do you use?: One technique I used to use is growing 'spikes' from fluid clay, as much as the clay could endure. Nowadays I mix paper clay and glass. At times when I succeed in this technique, I achieve delicate, yet mesmerising works of art.
How do you see your working process?: Up until today, I would say that I play with my materials and let the materials create miracles for themselves; I create the conditions for the materials to be unpredictable. I never know what will come out of the kiln and if I planned too much there wouldn't be any space for surprises.
Do you have any advice for a beginner?: Don’t be afraid and believe in yourself! Even though creating can be time-consuming and expensive, try to take part in as many different international competitions as possible. That way more people will acknowledge your work and you never know when it will pay you back.
Is there a particularly memorable moment in your career?: I remember when I held a workshop in Korea and showed participants how to create my glass tails. Even though I don’t have a photo from that time, I can still recall the astonished and surprised faces. Estonians are perhaps not so emotional, but at times it's possible to surprise them too.

Anne Türn is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1984