en

 

me, 1988

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceramics got me, it tells the story of my life and is my passion.

I shape it, it shapes me.

It leads me to new places and is at home everywhere.

I can describe everything with all my senses

To tell stories & create, participate & experience.

win win…

 

 

 

artist statement

My craft: working with my hands, that is important to me. So that is why I learnd a craft first. 

Then I studied fine art and furthermore design. Today I am working at a University of Fine Arts.

So what am I doing at my own studio?

A choice between art and design? Design and art?

Do I have to choose?

Nope. 

 

 

Two, together, black & white, a counterpart, two opposites form a unity… These themes of mine have to come from somewhere... 

I think it also has something to do with being a twin… it´s somehow in my genes. So I deal with both of them. I feel free to develope porcelain vessels and to create ceramic objects; the theme and the technique determine the direction. Depending on my thoughts, my ideas or impuls beautifully shaped everyday objects or abstract sculptures are created.

They have one thing in common: the base is clay.

The pure earth, this is my material. Sorted according to the mixture,I use it for my ideas in the form of fine porcelain or coarse stoneware. The colours and the glazes also consist of the raw material, actually it is only another mixing ratio, more or less. Everything is contained within the earth; everything originates from the same material.

Then it gets interesting: I am working with fire. Sometimes real and visible with  Raku firing, and sometimes invisible and indirect with electricity.

 

       

 

 

…deep in the south lies the origin of my sculptures: GAP!

 

The unique aspect of sculpture lies in my own positioning. I walk around the object, constantly discovering new perspectives and impressions. This works on both: a large and a small scale and is an essential characteristic for design. Light and shadow, the surroundings, the material itself creates the object. The sculpture is in constant interaction, in constant exchange with its environment, and begins to tell its story.

They often appear heavy, yet at the same time they possess a lightness, created by the thin material thicknesses and open, finely structured surfaces. The insides bear witness to traces and things seen; every angle opens up new perspectives. So, perspective and attitude shift, according to the nature of sculpture.

 

 

„Refrain from everything that is not necessary.“

 

   

But first, of course: the idea is the origin of all being… This is the starting point for my actions, for my work. They mostly arise from my encounters, my impressions, my history. Experiences are recounted, reinterpreted, or evaluated. They arise from within me, from my observations and from my everyday life. The material gives me the freedom to describe and design everything: light and atmosphere, espresso sets and bowls, vases and vessels, emotions and abstract images. Applied and free.

 

 

about 

 

Verena Stieger makes use of the extensive possibilities of the material, simple earth. Down-to-earth, simple, yet complex. Thus, one thing implies the other: her objects can be minimalist, but also intricately interwoven with multiple parts. Everything originates from one source, but the objects and items acquire their own character, purpose, and being. This can be seen both in the free objects and in the porcelain vessels.

The ceramic objects tell stories of layers and levels. Stieger depicts encounters and situations in an abstract way. They position themselves in relation to each other, create relationships with each other, or stand on their own. The technique and the open surfaces, often marked by traces of fire and smoke, open up a world of their own.

 

Black and shimmering surfaces, satin-matte and silver-coloured surfaces reflect the light and create different textures. "It should be jet black, beautifully rough." They absorb the light and tell stories of traces and experiences in their surface.  In some ways, they appear like morbid fragments, creating historical witnesses and sequences.

Right angles, long geometric shapes, curved lines or short, rough edges: They give the objects character and charm, showing an abrupt end or a grown unity with lively design.

Through repetitions of processes, a series of surfaces and planes, it tells of sequences of time. They represent people and relationships and their relationship or contrast to each other.

   

What value does the relationship carry, what importance does it have? Is it the main focus, does it take up more space than it should? Or is everything in balance?

Setting priorities, finding balance, or creating imbalance.

Sequence, rhythm & repetition: this is how structures are created. What is learned is internalized.

Movements become more sensitive and gain experience; one learns about a deeper part of one's being, one grows through them, and finally one loses oneself in them.