Ceramicist
Artist Statement – Malene Müllertz
A look at Malene Müllertz’s production reveals a curiosity about clay. Over the years, she has virtuosically played with form and decoration. Often with a refined sophistication that always retains the earthiness of the clay. And strong they are, these otherwise flimsy-looking containers!
During a visit to Malene Müllertz’s workshop, I spotted two works that form a nice pair, while at the same time revealing a lot about the artist’s working methods and idiom. One piece is an openwork curve shape, which between the horizontal bands is adorned with arrow-shaped pieces of clay intarsia – a play between clay in different colors, The other piece is from the latest phase of her work – a further development of some of the trends seen in her solo exhibition at the Design Museum. The cylindrical form is characterized by a Middle Eastern ornamentation, where she breaks through to tapered leaf shapes and assembles with small “buds” that sit loosely through centrally placed holes. The piece should be displayed so that all guests could take it in their hands and quietly rotate the “basket”. Gradually, the little “knobs” slide back and forth through their holes in the clay, making a beautiful sound.
Moveable pottery, you could call it. The craftsmanship behind it is impressive and makes it possible for these little “buds” to be fired and still be in motion in relation to the basic shape. This is a striking example of exploring both the load-bearing capacity of clay, but more importantly, its timbre.
CV
Malene Müllertz
Born May 9, 1949, Roskilde, Denmark
Studio based in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen
Memberships
The Artists’ Society (Kunstnersamfundet)
Ceramic Paths (Keramiske Veje)
Education & Professional Background
1975–present Independent studio practice
1977, 1982 Artist, Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory
1973–1976 Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture, Industrial Design
1970–1973 Artist, Bing & Grøndahl Porcelain Manufactory
1965–1970 School of Arts and Crafts, Copenhagen
1965–1966 Ceramic apprenticeship
Collections (Selected)
Designmuseum Denmark, Copenhagen
Danish Arts Foundation, Copenhagen
Museum Het Princessehof, Leeuwarden
Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Trapholt Museum of Modern Art and Design, Kolding
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam
CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art Denmark, Middelfart
Schleswig-Holstein State Museum, Schloss Gottorf
Keramion, Frechen, Cologne
Nordenfjeldske Kunstmuseum, Trondheim
Birmingham Museum of Art, Alabama
Flint Institute of Arts, Michigan
RISD Museum, USA
Palmer Museum of Art, Pennsylvania State University
Vejen Art Museum, Denmark
Danish Embassy, Berlin
Awards & Grants (Selected)
Lifetime Honorary Grant, Danish Arts Foundation (2007)
Three-year Working Grant, Danish Arts Foundation (1988–91; also awarded earlier)
Working Grants, Danish Arts Foundation (multiple years between 1985–2012)
National Bank of Denmark Anniversary Foundation (multiple awards 1975–2006)
Artist of the Year, Jyllands-Posten (1995)
Beckett Foundation Grant (2003, 2006)
Augustinus Foundation Grant (2006)
Oticon Foundation Grant (2004, 2006)
Lis Ahlmann Honorary Grant (2002)
Ole Haslund Grant (1986)
Johs. Krøyer Grant (1985)
Residencies include Fundación Valparaíso, Spain (1993); Paris (1995); Berlin (2004); and San Cataldo, Italy (1985).
Private Collections (selected)
HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
Mark Pollack, New York
Davis Werner Collection, USA
Achterberg Collection, Netherlands
Solo Exhibitions (Selected)
2026 Davis Gallery, Copenhagen – Stjernestund
2024 Davis Gallery, Copenhagen – Keepsake
2022 Davis Gallery, Copenhagen – Tiara
2019–20 Ann Linnemann Gallery, Copenhagen
2013 KAOLIN, Stockholm
2012 Ann Linnemann Studio Gallery – Fragile
2007 Galleri Nørby, Copenhagen
2007 Designmuseum Denmark – New Ceramic Works
2003 Puls Contemporary Ceramics, Brussels
2000–02 Galleri Nørby, Copenhagen
1999 Galleri Björnen, Stockholm
1998 Munkeruphus (with Peder Musse)
1997 Designmuseum Denmark – New Ceramic Boxes
1995 CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art Denmark, Middelfart
1988 West Zealand Art Museum, Sorø
1985 Galleri K, Copenhagen
1984–83 Hamburg, Zurich, Copenhagen
Group Exhibitions (Selected)
2026 Kunstetagerne, Hobro
2023 CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art Denmark – Ceramic Paths
2023 Hjorths Fabrik Museum, Bornholm
2015 Sophienholm – Ceramic Paths
2008–11 SOFA Art Fair, New York
2004–07 Collect Art Fair, Victoria and Albert Museum, London
2002 From the Kilns of Denmark, travelling exhibition, USA
2001 Exhibitions in Tokyo, Stockholm, and Denmark
1997 Danish Ceramics 1850–1997, Sophienholm
1995 Major exhibitions in London, Rotterdam, and Edinburgh
1994 Trapholt Museum – Danish Ceramic Triennial
1990 Singer Museum, Netherlands
1989 Victoria and Albert Museum – Scandinavian Ceramics & Glass
1985–2004 Den Frie Exhibition Building, Copenhagen (Ceramic Paths)
1970–84 Charlottenborg Autumn Exhibition, Copenhagen
