Out of reverence for creation
- Sonngard sheds light on the environment through highlighting its beauty
- She undertook a two-month artist residence at Fürstenberg Castle
- She has a deep affection for 16th to 18th century botanical drawings
Through her works, Sonngard Marcks draws attention to what people tend to pass by – a firebug on a leaf, a sprouting weed or a freshly picked May turnip. Inspired by early botanical drawings of the 16th to 18th centuries and grounded in her deep knowledge of local species, she paints with the eye of a naturalist. At Burg Giebichenstein, Sonngard studied ceramics in full scope, receiving a formal education in pottery and design. This foundation continues to inform her work, in which drawing, form and meaning are inseparable. Her porcelain works do not romanticise nature, they are visual reminders of what is at stake when we stop paying attention. “I am not trying to moralise, but I believe beauty is a window to perception,” Sonngard says.
Interview
- Do you have a particularly memorable moment from your career?
- My two-month residency at Fürstenberg Castle was a very exhilarating experience. The Gerverot hall I was working in was open to visitors all time, yet it felt like a world of my own. Piece by piece, I built a table drawing from the site’s history, landscape and energy.
- What was your main assignment during your residency?
- My task was to interpret 275 years of Fürstenberg porcelain in my own way. With access to their rich archive, I reimagined objects and mixed practices freely, adding small poetic interventions and playful caprices that made the table feel alive and full of character.
- Do you have a strong bond with your pieces?
- I put all of myself into each piece. That level of dedication can be intense, but it is also fulfilling. I always aim to create something that feels true and complete. Long bike rides or simply being in nature help me process and restore.
- What made your studies at Burg Giebichenstein so formative for you?
- I had admired the school since I was a child, as I grew up nearby, so being accepted to pursue ceramics felt like a dream. The curriculum was broad and rich, including nature studies, design, art history and philosophy. That time sharpened my artistic eye and shaped how I see the world. Connections I made back then are still part of my life.
Sonngard Marcks is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1977
Where
Sonngard Marcks
