Pierre Culot

Pierre Culot (Malmedy, 1938 – Incourt, 2011) was a Belgian ceramist and sculptor who wanted to build a bridge between British, Japanese, and French ceramic traditions. Culot saw nature as the sole generator of life and beauty and he considered earth or clay as his primary material, forming the heart of the process. He abandoned round shapes in favour of square and rectangle. His works evolved from basic forms and shapes, such as bowls, plates, and jugs, to more daring, elaborate forms shifting beyond functionality towards architecture. His works are marked by monumentality and freedom, but overall, by a love for materiality.

Working with Bernard Leach, Culot discovered the traditions and finesse of Japanese ceramic art. During trips to Japan, he was inspired by the gestural approach to ceramics, marked by fingerprints, scratches, and edges pressure-welded into what appears to be unfinished shapes.

During his life-time, Culot had exhibitions amongst others in the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, V&A London, Palais de Tokyo, Paris and documenta 7 Kassel.