Officine Saffi Award - Forms of Belonging

Fondazione Officine Saffi presents Forms of Belonging, the exhibition dedicated to the finalists of the sixth edition of Officine Saffi Award, the international biennial prize dedicated to contemporary ceramics. 

Bringing together contemporary artistic research, practices rooted in craftsmanship and collectible design, the exhibition explores the shifting boundaries between these fields through the works of 28 artists selected from more than 1,000 applications from 41 countries across five continents. The Main Prize of Officine Saffi Award was awarded by the Jury to artist Andile Dyalvane (1978, South Africa) for iThwasa (The One Who is Blossoming).

Forms of Belonging explores the human need to belong, showing how — within an increasingly hostile social and political climate — the material world can become a space for recognition, foster a sense of proximity and help us feel part of a shared human community. Each interpretation of ceramics preserves and transmits gestures, relationships and memories, transforming matter into a place where individual and collective experiences can accumulate and endure.

Through the dialogue between contemporary artistic research, practices rooted in fine craftsmanship and collectible design, Forms of Belonging explores the shifting boundaries between these fields. Across the works on display, traditional techniques and practices coexist with experimental processes, while functional objects, sculptures, installations and narrative works reflect the breadth and vitality of contemporary ceramic practice.

On the occasion of Officine Saffi Award 6 – Forms of Belonging, Residency Prizes were awarded to Marta Pierobon by Bruckner Foundation, Trude Westby Nordmark by Guldagergaard – International Ceramic Research Center, Krzysztof Strzelecki by Fondazione Museo della Ceramica di Savona, Samantha Kerdine by Taoxichuan Art Centre, Gerald Mak by Albuquerque Foundation and Tomás Díaz Cedeño by Senter for Keramisk Kunst. Cody Hoyt was also awarded the Fondazione Officine Saffi Special Residency Prize. The Young Artist Prize by Ottostumm | Mogs was awarded to Takumi Morozumi and Pan Loong, while Bisila Noha received the Tacchini Prize. The Jury also awarded Corwyn Lund a Special Mention for technical excellence.

Forms of Belonging is an exhibition presented with the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Milan.

Artists on view
Marten Herma Anderson – 1989, Germany
Mel Arsenault – 1973, Canada
Arun Baburaj – 1998, India
Jonathan Baldock – 1980, UK
Gianluca Brando – 1990, Italy
Soledad Christie – 1962, Chile
Phoebe Collings-James – 1987, UK
Tomás Díaz Cedeño – 1983, Mexico
Andile Dyalvane – 1978, South Africa
Sean Gerstley – 1989, USA
Benedikt Hipp – 1977, Germany
Cody Hoyt – 1980, USA
Samantha Kerdine – 1988, France
Pan Loong – 1991, China
Corwyn Lund – 1972, Canada
Gerald Mak – 1991, Hong Kong
Agalis Manessi – 1952, Greece
Takumi Morozumi – 1995, Japan
Antoine Moulinard – 1998, Belgium
Bisila Noha – 1988, Spain / Equatorial Guinea
Trude Westby Nordmark – 1969, Norway
Ornaghi & Prestinari – 1986 / 1984, Italy
Marta Pierobon – 1979, Italy
Yaerin Pyun – 1994, Republic of Korea
Coline Rosoux – 1984, Belgium
Emily Stapleton-Jefferis – 1992, UK
Krzysztof Strzelecki – 1993, Poland
Flávia Vieira – 1983, Portugal

Partners
Albuquerque Foundation
Bruckner Foundation Ceramic Centre
Guldagergaard – International Ceramic Research Center
Fondazione Museo della Ceramica di Savona
IAC – International Academy of Ceramics
Senter for Keramisk Kunst
Taoxichuan Art Center
Ottostumm | Mogs
Tacchini Italia

Jury
Massimo De Carlo
Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo
Marco Sammicheli
Asad Syrkett
Jennifer Lee
Valentina Ciuffi
Laura Borghi
François Mellé

Media Partner
Exibart