Artefact | Studio Rinke Joosten

With Artefact, Rinke Joosten explores the role of the mould as an artwork in its own right within ceramics. Whereas the mould normally disappears after production, Joosten transforms it into a porcelain sculpture in which knowledge, labour and handwriting remain visible. By executing a complex multi-part mould entirely in porcelain, the production process itself becomes the final work. Joosten's fascination with the craft, rooted in family tradition and ten years of experience with ceramics, finds the ideal fertile ground in Arita's 400-year-old tradition. Working closely with local artisans creates a cross-pollination between Japanese tradition and her own practice. The project results in porcelain sculptures where the mould plays a central role, and in refined technical knowledge that Joosten shares with the wider field through her own practice and network.