Johannes Nagel’s artworks focus primarily on the themes of improvisation, impermanence and transformation. He works mainly with porcelain, a material known for its delicate yet resilient properties. Although most of his creations take the form of vessels, they question the ambiguous relationship between form and function. His works encourage the viewer to rethink the boundaries of both aspects.
Johannes Nagel’s approach is not to create static, flawless objects. Instead, his works exist as an ongoing dialogue between artist, material and process – they are constantly evolving and often surprising. His vessels are reminiscent of both construction and destruction, blurring the boundaries between completeness and incompleteness. Sometimes they appear as fragmented or alienated forms, reinforcing the sense of transience and constant transformation in his creative practice. A distinctive feature of many of Johannes Nagel’s works is his innovative sand casting technique, in which he buries himself in sand to create negative spaces for porcelain casting. This experimental process emphasises the tactile, artisanal character of his work, with each sculptural vessel bearing the direct imprint of his artistic process.
Biography
- 1979 born in Jena
- 2001 Töpferausbildung bei Kinya Ishikawa in Val-David, PQ Kanada
- 2002–2008 Studium im Fachbereich Plastik/ Keramik bei Prof. Antje Scharfe, Karl Fulle und Martin Neubert an der HKD Burg Giebichenstein in Halle
- 2005–2006 Arbeitsaufenthalt im Shigaraki Ceramics Cultural Park, Shigaraki, Japan
- 2007 Studienaufenthalt an der Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, USA
- Seit 2008 Werkstatt/Atelier in Halle
- 2008 Diplom der Bildenden Kunst/Keramik an der HKD Burg Giebichenstein in Halle
- 2009 Graduiertenstipendium der HKD Burg Giebichenstein in Halle
- 2009 Scotish Arts Council Crafts Residency in Cove Park, Schottland