2 April - 1May 2022 Pink & Purple: Gijs Assmann, the Kei 2022
Pink & Purple is the spring exhibition of Galerie Terra with recent ceramic sculptures by Gijs Assmann, winner of the ceramic award De KEI 2021. In Pink & Purple, Assmann shows a great diversity of rose-colored sculptures with a light-footed and optimistic tone. The rebirth of nature and the process of spiritual liberation are visualized in a series of ceramic still lifes. Often frantic stacks seem to defy gravity and visualize a state of equilibrium between opposing forces. This can be read metaphorically as a stable or harmonious balance of intellectual or emotional concepts. Or casual and proud capriciousness and craziness. Typical of Assmann's work, in which boundaries between image and language, humor and seriousness and social and private seem to become more flexible. Ceramic award De Kei was established in 2020 by ceramic collectors Ankie Maessen and Bert van Meggelen as recognition and encouragement for Dutch talent in the field of ceramics as an art form. The prize for 2021 was awarded to Gijs Assmann by the expert jury and consists of a cash award of € 7,500 and an exhibition at Terra Delft Gallery. The motivation of the jury according to the jury report: His work is versatile and raises questions, it is fascinating. Assmann has many talents, as a maker of objects, as a teacher and with working in space. He has inspired others and has imitators. Art has to deliver a strong image in a context, and Assmann is exceptionally strong in that regard. Gijs Assmann is a forerunner and has given new meaning to ceramics in the visual arts.
