Edmund de Waal is a British ceramics artist who studied his craft in England and Japan. His recent work explores ideas about collections and how objects are grouped together. de Waal has had major installations in museums around the world, from London to New York. His pieces have a minimalist quality, yet often look natural. He often combines his pottery with materials such as wood or acrylic to create stunning compositions. His large scale installations are particularly memorable.
One of the interesting things about de Waal’s art is how each piece interacts with its display. How it is displayed is part of the art itself. I found de Waal’s work through a client and immediately fell in love with the simplicity and scale of it. It’s so nice when a client is open about their art interests and shares exciting things. I always go a step further to see what they’re looking at and why they like it. In de Waal’s work, I see peace and serenity.
Phaidon has published a monograph on Edmund de Waal, a tribute to his artistry with ceramics as well as his acclaim as a writer. This book includes incredible photography detailing de Waal’s daily life in his studio and his most famous installations. With contributions from writers such as AS Byatt and architect Deborah Saunt, it’s a work of art itself and a great addition to the library of any art lover.
You can see a full online gallery of Edmund de Waal’s work on his website.