Martina Zwölfer is one of Austria's most internationally renowned contemporary ceramic artists.

"Since the beginning of my creative work, my guiding principle has been to oppose the rapid wear of all things in a society based on constant growth and consumption with something more enduring. This is also why I have been firing my ceramics with renewable energy for over twenty years," the artist explains.

Martina Zwölfer employs contemporary tools and draws from the knowledge of various traditions within the context of a globalized culture. "The most important impulse for me is the dialogue between East and West. The poles between which my work oscillates are series and unique pieces, geometric rigor and motifs from organic nature, as well as functionality and representational or narrative elements."

Archetypal forms of vessels such as tea, rice, and soup bowls or cups, as well as oval vases, are always newly designed by Zwölfer both in color and decoration. "In this way, I feel connected to Japanese table culture, which, in contrast to Western compositions, combines very different pieces such as delicately painted porcelains, roughly grooved plates made of dark stoneware, and other contrasting elements depending on the season," she emphasizes.

Curiosity and openness to innovative developments continue to shape her work today. In addition to traditional ceramic techniques, she has also specialized in ceramic 3D printing, combining digital production with her artisanal knowledge to create a contemporary dimension.

After studying at the University of Art and Design Linz, Martina Zwölfer undertook study stays at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam and the Kyoto City University of Arts in Japan.

Her works have been exhibited worldwide and are now part of important collections, including the MAK Vienna, the Yingge Ceramics Museum in Taiwan, the Icheon World Ceramic Center in Korea, as well as several museums in China.

Her designs are carried by, among others, Christian Dior, the MoMA Store New York, and the Louvre Museum Store Paris.

Martina Zwölfer has also taught at numerous universities and art institutions in Europe, the USA, and Asia. From 2017 to 2020, she led the Ceramics Department at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. To this day, she shares her experience worldwide through workshops, lectures, and guest professorships.

We are very pleased to represent Martina Zwölfer exclusively in Vienna.