Ane-Katrine von Bülow

Ceramicist

©Ole Akhøj

Opposing themes in graphic porcelain

Ane-Katrine makes black and white ceramic pieces
Her appeal for precision has grown over time
To her, form and pattern are inseparable

The signature of Ane-Katrine von Bülow’s work is black and white precision patterns on ceramic pieces. She makes large-scale graphic patterns that cover vases, bowls and cylinders. Geometric patterns create illusions in her abstract compositions and Ane-Katrine describes her ceramic pieces as graphic porcelain. She strives to achieve aesthetic simplicity. Ane-Katrine applies 3D generated patterns to porcelain, bridging the gap between ceramics and the latest computer technology. Inspired by opposing themes of black and white, yin and yang, empty and full, inside and outside, her pieces are crafted with a nod at Japanese minimalism.

Interview

©Ane-Katrine von Bülow

©Ole Akhøj

What is a ceramic pattern that works for you?: In my work, pattern supports shape, as if a pattern defines a shape and vice versa. If a pattern is scaled big, the form of the object dissolves. And if the pattern is scaled small, it becomes a surface or texture applied to the object.
Has the process of creating ceramics changed for you over the years?: Working with large-scale ceramics is challenging for the body. My patterns are sized to my bowls using a computer and applied by hand. I usually work 12-hour stretches to achieve this. I strive for the sublime, and that takes time.
Why do you work in black and white?: Black and white belong to the world of graphics which I am very drawn to. There is purity and freshness to black and white that makes them timeless. Although it seems that colours have been removed from the equation, black contains all the colours, and white represents light.
Have you ever had an experience that changed your perspective?: A trip to Japan in the early 1970s changed everything for me. The merging of positive and negative space became very clear as I experienced how art and the surrounding space can coexist and complement one another. This constant play with yin and yang is an essential theme in my work.

Ane-Katrine von Bülow is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1980