There is a new prize for contemporary ceramics in the Netherlands. 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 De Kei is awarded once every two years for ceramic work of exceptional quality. The prize consists of a cash prize of € 7,500 and an exhibition at Terra Delft Gallery and is organized by the SKPD (Stichting Keramiek Promotie Delft). In the nomination round, the four jury members each recommended three candidates. They selected Dutch artists or artists working in the Netherlands who make ceramic work of exceptional quality. The candidates for 2021 are: • Gijs Assmann • Paula Bastiaansen • Wim Borst • Chose Buster • Alida Everts • Mieke de Groot • Tara-Eva Kuijpers Wentink • Isa van Lier • Hannah Reede • Carolein Smit • Yuk Kan Yeung The jury chose three nominees from the list of candidates. The three nominees, Gijs Assmann, Koos Buster and Carolein Smit, gave a presentation in words and images to the jury in June. It took the jury a lot of time to finally appoint the winner. The three nominees all have great qualities with regard to originality, humor, irony and daring. Enthusiasm about the seemingly endless possibilities of the clay material radiates from these nominees.
The winner of Ceramics Award De Kei 2021 has become: Gijs Assmann.
The award ceremony will take place on October 10, 2021 in Museum Prinsenhof Delft. A small brochure about this prize and the winners, with the work of the nominees, accompanies the presentation. More info on the website of the SKPD or via this link: Keramiekprijs De Kei