This richly pigmented vase, with its unruly form and angles, seems as if it is ready to burst out of its static form any second. The form relays an ecstatic expression of feeling, and this vase successfully gives a physical form to it.

The name of this vase derives from a Chinese idiom, that literally translates to: “verdant hills and limpid water” which in a figurative way depicts an enchanting scenery. Looking at this vase, the idiom takes form. An equal importance was given to line, colour, and form, resulting in a visually striking but harmonious piece. On closer observation, the vase has several pigments and a beautiful pattern that gives a geological element to the piece.  The yellow pigment is especially characteristic, and highlights the tumultuous “waves” of the pattern. The painterly way in which Babs Haenen adorns her vessels demonstrates the way in which abstract painting inspires her; landscape motifs, such as rippling water, are recurring themes.

Without a question, this “Shan Ming Shui Xin” vase is a standout ceramic piece, carrying the unique characteristic of Babs Haenen’s art.

SOLD

About the designer:

The world-renowned ceramist, Babs Haenen, was born in Amsterdam in 1948. In 1979, she graduated with Geert Lap, Barbara Nanning and Paulus van Leeuwen at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam. During her career, she has taught extensively, won a number of prestigious awards and has undertaken several high-profile public commissions in The Netherlands.

Haenen creates expressive and impressionistic ceramics inspired by abstract paintings and landscapes of the 15th and 16th centuries. She creates colourful and organic porcelain vessels with dynamic lines and forms. Her work consists of different coloured slabs of clay using a technique known as slab building.

The artist works with coloured porcelain creating a lot of shapes, patterns, and colours. Her work is in the permanent collections in several museums in countries around the world such as in the Netherlands, the United States, and Japan. ~H.