Ceramic art from Austria
Gmundner Keramik is coveted all over the world and combines lifestyles from different traditions with its hand-painted motifs. ‘We want to continuously develop the brand and expand our cultural heritage with innovative ideas and creative collaborations,’ emphasises Markus Friesacher, owner of Gmundner Keramik. ‘In addition to creative designs, this also includes openness to artistic influences from other cultures, such as Africa.’ The deep personal connection to the country and its people inspired the entrepreneur to create new ceramic collections as well as an exciting cultural exchange with aesthetic diversity.
From deer to kudu - Gmundner combines traditions
With the ‘Africa Edition’, Gmundner pays homage to the impressive diversity of Namibia. In addition to motifs of native animal species and African-inspired patterns on the ceramic tableware, the reinterpretation of the classic deer motif for „from deer to kudu“ symbolises the connection between the two worlds: With skilfully applied brushstrokes, the leaping deer from the Austrian forests was transformed into the elegant savannah dancer kudu from Namibia, radiating the spirit of southern Africa. Different colours and the different physical characteristics of the two animals add to the individual charm of the motif, which otherwise follows the traditional structure. The brown kudu with its magnificent horns is the counterpart to the proud stag with antlers, which has enriched Gmunden tableware for many years. Hand-painted in earthy tones, each individual piece of the ‘Africa Edition’ is a tribute to nature and reflects the breathtaking scenic beauty of southern Africa. The natural colour of the clay is retained and is only glazed transparently.
AUSTRIAN TRADITION GOES NAMIBIA
At the same time, Markus Friesacher launched a unique social project in Namibia together with the Academy of Ceramics (AoCG), which was founded in 2022 together with „OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH“ to promote dialogue between craftsmanship and artistic design: In the Kalahari, artists of the indigenous ‘San’ people created designs on paper, from which selected motifs were brought to perfection using original Gmundner Keramik colours. All the handmade ceramic pieces in the ‘SAN Edition’ are an expression of cultural appreciation and show how art can act as a medium of understanding and support. The indigenous motifs on the mugs, bowls, plates and jugs bring new, artistic forms to the table and provide an insight into the great cultural richness of ancient traditions.
MODERN ART IN THE TRADITIONAL MANUFACTORY
In addition to the influence of international cultures, the exclusive ceramic products also reflect Gmundner’s connection to modern art. For example, the collaboration with Studio Vivienne Westwood and the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) resulted in an extraordinary plate set designed by Andreas Kronthaler. The set is only available as a strictly limited special edition and was presented as part of the exhibition ‘PECHE POP. Dagobert Peche and his traces in the present’.
Image: © MAK Christian Mendez