Arnold Annen

Atelier K3

Porcelain maker

©Michelangelo Foundation

Pushing porcelain's physical limits

Arnold's bowls are distinctively thin and translucent
Every vessel is the result of sophisticated techniques
His work has been described as 'white gold'

Arnold Annen is above all famous for his work in Limoges porcelain. Over the years, he has perfected his technique, which has become his unmistakable hallmark. He makes bowls as thin as paper, with a transparency that is unparalleled in the world of ceramics. To reach this level of perfection, his procedures involve a very disciplined approach, along with sophisticated manual techniques. “I work porcelain to its physical limit because I aim for both maximum lightness and translucency. The atmosphere of the light caught in the shell emerges from the variations in the relief,” he says.

Interview

©Michelangelo Foundation

©Michelangelo Foundation

Did you learn your craft from masters?: Every step of my career has been accompanied by new masters and role models: the diversity of encounters has been very significant in my evolution. Getting to know different backgrounds and philosophies made it possible to find my own path.
When did you develop your passion for porcelain?: I chose porcelain as the exclusive material for my artistic work in Amsterdam, around 1984. The purity of the material seemed to offer an infinite palette of expressive possibilities. The technical challenge also enthralled me.
How important is experimentation in your work?: Even at school I was fascinated by design and art, and by the discovery of technical means that would enable me to achieve them. I love experimenting, overcoming technical hurdles. My gossamer-thin porcelain bowls always require new detours and inventions.
What are your sources of inspiration?: The millennia-old potter's wheel and the vessel form comprise the starting point for all my creations. I'm always looking for new possibilities, and I enjoy letting daylight, which is ever-changing, express itself in different ways in my work.

Arnold Annen is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1970