Discussions on Identity in Ceramics and Ceramics in Contemporary Art

Abstract

Clay, as a material and ceramics, which is the technique of hardening it by firing, is a form of production as old as human history like other branches of art. However, ceramics started to be perceived as contemporary art in the 20th century, when famous artists such as Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro made ceramics. Before this period, ceramics was being mentioned as; pottery, handicrafts and industry. This process, which started with the production of ceramics by 20th century painters, allowed ceramics to be perceived as a contemporary art branch. In the years following this period in Europe, ceramics departments were opened within the academies, and with the contributions of those artists, who were educated in ceramics, as form and content, the style which is named as contemporary ceramic art today, has emerged. Thus, contemporary ceramic art, which was already born into modernism, has witnessed two periods until today; modernism and postmodernism. The subject of this research is the study of the state reached by ceramics, which has had a unique modernization process and has been exposed to many discussions about its identity, in contemporary arts.

Keywords: Ceramic, Art, Craft, Identity, Art of Ceramics, Contemporary Art

DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/6-10-10