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About This Project

‘Mommy I made an ashtray’ is a collection of brightly coloured ceramic objects. The idea behind the collection goes back to Rutger’s earliest experiences of working with clay. ‘As children we are able to use our intuition, playfulness from a naive point of view’. Rutger wanted to use this mindset to translate this childlike imagery of working with clay into large scale ceramic  objects. And in order to do so, developed a new clay building technique based on his inventive balloon sculpting process.

The title ‘Mommy I made an ashtray’ refers to the time I was asked to make an ashtray for fathers day. Besides that this forces us to give function and meaning to the outcome of experience, it also shows that our customs and conventions are subjected to new insights. The way our intuition in engaging with materials is imposed by conventions leaves little room for intuitive connection and critical reflection.

By turning large scale ceramic objects into multifunctional ashtray’s, I want to advocate the freedom to question all conventions, as conventions should serve instead of restrict us’, we need the freedom to find our own truth with an open mind and an open heart.’