Ivi van Keulen
Vessels Carrying Time
Reinterpretation Across Cultures and Generations
Chinoiserie emerged from fascination rather than accuracy. When Chinese porcelain reached Europe, its technical perfection and unfamiliar imagery sparked both admiration and imitation. European makers reinterpreted what they saw, blending Chinese motifs with local traditions such as Delft Blue. Finally becoming mass made in China again, only now as quick and cheap consumer goods.
These vases continue that lineage of translation. Made through reuse and reinterpretation, they acknowledge the layered histories embedded in decorative objects: trade routes, cultural projection, craftsmanship, and shifting values. Imperfections are not hidden but embraced, marking each piece as part of a living, evolving archive.
To the artist, the origin of the pieces is important but what is perhaps even more important is the fact that this process allows her to find her materials locally without creating more demand. Wishing to relieve a system instead of taxing it even more.
website
