Christian Bruun

Ceramicist | Charlottenlund, Denmark

At one with the clay

Christian has always viewed clay as a calling
His creations balance technique and artistic freedom
He has mentored numerous emerging ceramicists

Christian Bruun has been dedicated to mastering the art of clay since the early 1990s. A graduate of the Danish Design School, he refined his skills with master potters in Denmark and Norway. While remaining deeply rooted in Scandinavian tradition, Christian's work is shaped by global influences and his studies in the USA, Türkiye, Japan, India and Vietnam. He juxtaposes the radical contrast of large-scale stoneware pots to the delicate precision of thin hand thrown porcelain, in what he calls a body-to-body experience. “The anonymous craftsperson has somewhat become my ideal," Christian says. "The craft and the artisan are so intertwined that they become a single entity, and the final result relies entirely on the fusion of the two.”

Interview

©Jeppe Gudmundsen

What was your first approach to ceramics?: I have been fascinated by clay for as long as I can remember. When I was 12, I had the chance to spend time in the workshop of ceramicist Torsten Mossumgaard, who taught me what clay was all about. Since then, it has been part of me.
Where does your inspiration come from?: It comes from the quality of the materials I work with and from rethinking traditional techniques. Thin hand throwing is a challenge in itself, while working with volume and heavy-bodied vessels creates a contrast that sparks further inspiration.
Do you enjoy your practice?: I have been working with ceramics since the 1990s, and I love it. I enjoy the repetitiveness of creating the same cup over and over again as much as the thrill of opening a wood-fired kiln, where I always discover new and unexpected results.
Do you share your expertise with younger generations?: I am very committed to passing on skills. I have taught extensively at professional schools, and several ceramicists who trained in my workshop have gone on to establish their own businesses. I also regularly hold turning classes for both beginners and intermediates.

Christian Bruun is a master artisan: he began his career in 1991 and he started teaching in 1996