Norwegian Crafts, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the international promotion of contemporary Norwegian crafts, announces a strategic partnership with ceramic brussels, the art fair for ceramics. During the 2025 edition, the fair will put a special focus on ceramic art from Norway, with a programme focusing on five Norwegian galleries.
Norway is internationally renowned for its ceramics scene, thanks in part to renowned institutions such as the Oslo National Academy of the Arts, which attracts talent from all over the world.
Ebbe Arneberg - Stand Still.
Names like Torbjørn Kvasbø, former president of the International Academy of Ceramics, have strengthened Norway's reputation and established international ties with an emphasis on creative exploration rather than commercialism. Norwegian ceramics is distinguished by a strong emphasis on creativity and collaboration, which makes its works both innovative and attractive.
The partnership is the first collaboration between Norwegian Crafts and ceramic brussels and offers a unique opportunity to present Norwegian ceramics on an international stage. The aim is to support Norwegian galleries, artists and craftsmen and give them an unseen platform to share their work with a wide and diverse audience.
"We were inspired by the positive feedback we received from galleries about the first edition of ceramic brussels and decided to get in touch for a collaboration," says Hege Henriksen, director of Norwegian Crafts. "Our mission has always been to strengthen the position of Norwegian Crafts internationally, and this fair provides an excellent opportunity to show Norwegian ceramics alongside well-known names from the ceramics world."
Nordli, Hald, Arneberg - Fleeting Figuration (group exhibition).
The collaboration brings together five Norwegian galleries known for their contributions to contemporary ceramics and crafts: QB Gallery, RAM Galleri, Kiosks, Format and Skog Art Space. These galleries will present a diverse selection of works by both established and emerging artists, highlighting the uniquely Norwegian approach to ceramics, a domain that has a prominent role in Norwegian crafts culture alongside textiles.
"We have discovered a very diverse art scene in Norway, with a wide range of approaches and practices within ceramics. We look forward to offering these artists a stage during the fair," said Jean-Marc Dimanche, co-director of ceramic brussels.
To add to the presence of Norwegian ceramics at the fair, Norwegian Crafts and ceramic brussels are jointly developing a series of talks that will provide insight into the movements and variations within the Norwegian ceramic world.
"The focus on Norway - in collaboration with Norwegian Crafts - will be an in-depth immersion into a vibrant art scene. This is in line with our commitment to diversity, innovation and cultural dialogue within the fair," adds Gilles Parmentier, co-director of ceramic brussels.
Although this is the first time Norwegian Crafts has collaborated with a Belgian initiative, the organisation has extensive experience in international partnerships. Previous collaborations include Norwegian's presence at Milan Design Week, a Nordic Pavilion at Révélations in Paris, and contribution to Design Miami. These initiatives highlight Norwegian Crafts' commitment to promoting Norwegian crafts on the global stage.
Celebrating fifty years of commitment to crafts
Norwegian Crafts was founded in 2012 as a non-profit organisation by the Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts, a pioneer that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. For five decades, this association has been crucial in supporting Norwegian artists and creating a thriving ecosystem in which artists can thrive.
With funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norwegian Crafts manages grants for international craft projects and advises embassies and consulates on promoting contemporary Norwegian crafts. Besides market development, the organisation is committed to theory building, networking and residency programmes, giving Norwegian and Sámi artists a stage in the international art world.
A fair with a focus
ceramic brussels takes place at Tour & Taxis, a historic cultural centre in Brussels, and welcomes more than 60 galleries and institutions in 7,000 square metres of exhibition space. The fair attracts an international audience and has quickly established itself as a leading event for ceramic art. In 2024, during its first edition, the fair welcomed almost 13,000 visitors, paving the way for a promising edition in 2025.
More information:
Norwegian Crafts
Rådhusgaten 20
0151 Oslo (Norway)
0047 970 78 731
[email protected]
www.norwegiancrafts.no
ceramic brussels
www.ceramic.brussels