Ninna Gøtzsche

The beauty of error

• Ninna creates useful art pieces from porcelain clay
• She is inspired by memories, changing light and the history of the material
• She opened her workshop Formuleret in 2007

Ninna Gøtzsche is a Danish artisan who creates useful art from porcelain clay. Ninna uses local materials such as black sand from the North Sea, while gathering inspiration from nature; especially the changing light during the different seasons and weather, may it be the Spring sunlight or the sky just before a thunderstorm. “I like to work with the mistakes that might appear in the making. I let the mistake get a centre story and placement in the final piece. For me, it is interesting to make the crooked convincing. It’s in these details that beauty lies.” Ninna's art has been exhibited in Chicago, London, Copenhagen and New York after her graduation from the School of Glass and Ceramics in Bornholm in 2004. In 2007, Ninna opened her workshop gallery in Aarhus, Denmark named Formuleret.

Interview

©Thomas Dahl Jepsen

©Frame & Work

Where do you draw inspiration for your craft?

First and foremost, I take inspiration from my own life and memories. I also draw inspiration from Danish songs and stories that have a life force and sadness to them but still contain beauty. I tell a ceramic story with form, material, idea and immersion.

What is unique about how you work with ceramics?

My speciality lies within working with porcelain clay, which is a difficult material to work with. But after years and years of working with the material, I know it well and can control it in new ways.

Why did you decide to work with ceramic clay?

Clay is earthbound; it’s something to have in your hands and feel a physical connection with. I like to create art with a function like a plate, vase or a cup to drink from, while also creating layers, like earth’s tectonic plates. Clay lets me form art with my hands.

Could your craft be considered in danger?

Absolutely not. Ceramics as an art form will never be out of fashion. Humans have created forms in clay since the dawn of time and it is a key part of history. I see a huge interest in working in clay and the craft is thriving in Denmark.

Ninna Gøtzsche is a master artisan: she began her career in 2004 and she started teaching in 2010

Works

©Ib Sørensen

©Thomas Dahl Jepsen

©Thomas Dahl Jepsen

©Ib Sørensen

©Thomas Dahl Jepsen

Where