Merete Rasmussen

Merete Rasmussen works in clay to create abstract sculptural form. The artist is interested in the idea of one continuous surface, with one connected edge or line running through the whole piece. Her formal concerns lie with clear and clean shapes, soft smooth curves in contrast to sharp edges, concave and convex surfaces and the discovery and strength of negative space within the work.

Rasmussen’s pieces are hand built using the coiling technique. Stoneware is the artist’s chosen material for its malleable qualities. She likes to challenge the material and her skills by building these complicated innovative shapes. Although fragile in the building, drying and firing process when actually fired attain the strength to be handled and can be positioned without support. The artist finds her inspiration for these dynamic works from nature as well as architecture and design. To emphasize the abstract nature of the work she uses a matt surface and monochrome colours.

Rasmussen was born in Denmark but grew up in Sweden. She returned to Denmark to study at Design School Kolding in 2000, and moved to London in 2005 after graduating. Awards include Crafts Council Development Award 2007 and the artist’s work is included in the National Museum of Scotland; the Crafts Council Collection, U.K.; York Art Gallery, England; The International Ceramic Research Centre, Denmark; The National Fund of Contemporary Arts, France; TERRA, International Sculpture Symposium, Serbia and Montenegro. Rasmussen has been exhibited internationally in London, Paris, New York, Belgium, Holland and Scotland.