AocG Exhibition ‘Ceramic Visions’

The exhibition offers an art-historical retrospective of the ceramic avant-garde of the 1980s – a time when ceramics increasingly emancipated itself from purely functional objects in favour of free artistic expression. The collection was initiated by Heide Warlamis and includes works by renowned artists such as Kiki Kogelnik, Kurt Ohnsorg, and Colin Pearson. Their works demonstrate how the material clay was reimagined in new contexts – as extraordinary sculptures, visionary objects, or decorative jewellery in bold designs.

The exhibition venue itself – the Gmundner Keramik Manufaktur – creates a direct link between modern art and traditional craftsmanship. Amid the historic workshops, visitors can experience the tension between artistic ambition and contemporary tableware culture. From customised objects created for international artist Ai Weiwei to popular everyday tableware, the diversity of the material is made strikingly clear. In addition, the K-Hof – Museum Gmunden provides a comprehensive insight into the cultural and historical development of ceramic products, from prehistoric times to the present day. The collection includes archaeological finds, rural tableware, and modern studio ceramics, positioning Gmunden as a unique intersection of cultural history and living craftsmanship.

The Academy of Ceramics Gmunden (AoCG) is of particular significance as a centre of ceramic culture, where craftsmanship and artistic innovation productively come together. This international network fosters dialogue between established ceramists and emerging talents – with the goal of making contemporary ceramic art visible and continually evolving. In Gmunden, ceramics are not only preserved but are constantly reimagined – as a medium of creative diversity and cultural relevance.