XVII Aveiro International Artistic Ceramics Biennial

The Aveiro International Biennale of Artistic Ceramics has become a landmark event in the global landscape of contemporary ceramic art. It serves as both a cornerstone of Aveiro’s cultural life and a model of institutional collaboration led by the Municipality—an initiative that crosses borders, fosters creative networks, and champions diversity, innovation, and capacity building.

Since its inception in 1989, the Biennale has continually evolved, demonstrating how ceramics remain an inexhaustible source of creativity and inspiration. It transcends the mere materiality of the object, embracing transdisciplinary approaches that reflect the spirit and challenges of contemporary artistic practice.

The international competition is once again a showcase for trends in contemporary artistic ceramics. As a result of the jury’s selection from a total of 782 works and 488 entries, 110 works by 96 artists are presented, reflecting different geographies and concepts, as well as expressing innovative approaches to ceramic techniques and materials.

Self-portrait is one of the selected works in the present edition of the Biennale, featuring approximately 14,500 pill replicas arranged in flexible strips, arousing a sense of movement and interaction. This idea draws inspiration from my childhood memories, where everyday objects like bottle caps or corks were frequently used in homes to create curtains. These barriers, typically hung in doorways to protect against insects, separated indoor spaces from the outside world. The objective is to enable visitors to physically “pass through the work,” engaging with the art in a tangible and immersive way.