Melanie van der Donk
1965 Born in Germany
1988–1992 Studied stage and costume design at Düsseldorf Kunstakademie
From 1992 Worked at Burgtheater in Vienna and other German-speaking theaters
2004 Founded an art workshop for children
2010–2015 Studied ceramics at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna
2015 Completed apprenticeship in ceramics and opened her workshop in Vienn
Since 2015 Taught ceramics and glazing technology at the Kunst VHS in Vienna
Website

Melanie van der Donk

For Melanie van der Donk, ceramics is a medium of deceleration – sensual, demanding, and down-to-earth. It is only at the potter’s wheel, in the act of “grasping,” that the form of her vessels emerges, she says. Essential to her work is the exploration of glazes, which she develops herself from mineral substances such as feldspar, quartz, chalk, and kaolin. The composition, layer thickness, and firing process determine the color, depth, and haptics. Her method of glazing and creating shades has a painterly quality. “Pouring gives me a freedom that I personally cannot achieve with a brush,” she explains, adding: “The tension between conscious design and the limitations but also the possibilities inherent in the materials is always a challenge. Opening the kiln is always a moment of surprise, of joy or disappointment.”

<em>Ballon</em> Vase, 2017. Stoneware clay, white-cream, semi-transparent turquoise-blue copper glaze. H 48.5 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Ballon Vase, 2017. Stoneware clay, white-cream, semi-transparent turquoise-blue copper glaze. H 48.5 cm.
Vase <em>Wassermann</em> (tall), 2020. Stoneware clay, white-cream, silk-matt, light blue to moss green glaze, H 15 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Vase Wassermann (tall), 2020. Stoneware clay, white-cream, silk-matt, light blue to moss green glaze, H 15 cm.
Bowl, 2012. Stoneware clay, white-cream, glossy green-blue glaze, H 6.4 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Bowl, 2012. Stoneware clay, white-cream, glossy green-blue glaze, H 6.4 cm.
Bowls, 2012-2018. Stoneware clays, ochre and cream, feldspar glazes, ⌀ 10-21.5 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Bowls, 2012-2018. Stoneware clays, ochre and cream, feldspar glazes, ⌀ 10-21.5 cm.
Vessel <em>Formbruch</em>, 2024. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte to glossy turquoise-blue glaze, in a thin layer reddish brown, <br>H 29 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Vessel Formbruch, 2024. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte to glossy turquoise-blue glaze, in a thin layer reddish brown,
H 29 cm.
Vase <em>Mohnkapsel</em> [Poppy Capsule], 2023/24. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte straw-colored glaze, H 33 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Vase Mohnkapsel [Poppy Capsule], 2023/24. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte straw-colored glaze, H 33 cm.
Untitled vase, 2017. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte ash-colored glaze, light and opaque in a thick layer, H 6.5 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Untitled vase, 2017. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte ash-colored glaze, light and opaque in a thick layer, H 6.5 cm.
Vase <em>Fischform 2</em>, 2021. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, bright, matte, turquoise blue glaze, H 14.4 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Vase Fischform 2, 2021. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, bright, matte, turquoise blue glaze, H 14.4 cm.
Vase <em>Leimkraut 2</em>, 2021. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte iron oxide glaze, <br>H 21.8 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Vase Leimkraut 2, 2021. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte iron oxide glaze,
H 21.8 cm.
Vessel <em>Distelkelch</em>, 2024. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte, light, turquoise-blue copper glaze, H 36 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Vessel Distelkelch, 2024. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte, light, turquoise-blue copper glaze, H 36 cm.
Box, 2017. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte chrome-pink glaze, H 7.7 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Box, 2017. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte chrome-pink glaze, H 7.7 cm.
Cylinder-shaped boxes, 2020-2024. Stoneware clays, white-cream and Spanish ochre, satin and glossy glazes, H 6.7 to 16.3 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Cylinder-shaped boxes, 2020-2024. Stoneware clays, white-cream and Spanish ochre, satin and glossy glazes, H 6.7 to 16.3 cm.
Small informal vase, 2019/20. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte ash-colored glaze, H 18 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Small informal vase, 2019/20. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte ash-colored glaze, H 18 cm.
Double bowl, 2018. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, silky matte blue-brown glaze, H 6.3 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Double bowl, 2018. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, silky matte blue-brown glaze, H 6.3 cm.
Vase <em>Maebyong</em>, 2016. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte iron oxide glaze, <br>H 11.4 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Vase Maebyong, 2016. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte iron oxide glaze,
H 11.4 cm.
<em>Ikebana</em> vessel, 2018. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte glaze, reddish-brown in a thin layer, H 8 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Ikebana vessel, 2018. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte glaze, reddish-brown in a thin layer, H 8 cm.
Vase <em>Hans Trio 3</em>, calabash, 2016. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte, translucent tin white glaze, H 11.8 cm.
Melanie van der Donk
Vase Hans Trio 3, calabash, 2016. Stoneware clay, Spanish ochre, matte, translucent tin white glaze, H 11.8 cm.

Represented by

  • Austria, 

      • Atelier Melanie van der Donk

        		Gallery/Shop
        Melanie-van-der-Donk_Atelier_Wien
        Address Hietzinger Hauptstraße 130
        1130 Vienna, Austria
        Email atelier@keramik-vanderdonk.com
        Times by appointment
        Website Link