Sculpting process

What We Cannot See

Navn
Marie-Louise Fenge Birk Nielsen
Uddannelsesgrad
Professionsbachelor
Fagfelt
Design
Institut
Bygningskunst og Design
Program
Crafts in Glass and Ceramics
År
2024

"What We Cannot See" explores the complex interplay between internal and external spaces, using the clay surface as a membrane to connect and separate these two worlds. By manipulating volume, mass, and movement within the clay, a surface tension is created, which both reveals and conceals an active inner force. Metaphorically, this tension mirrors the human experience, reflecting the conflicts between our inner mental world and the outer bodily and societal frames and expectations.

This work aims to evoke reflection, fostering a deeper understanding of how societal constraints can impact our inner lives and mental health.

Surface imprint test
Photo by I Do Art Agency
Marie-Louise Fenge Birk Nielsen showing imprint tests
Photo by I Do Art Agency
Sculpting process by hand
Photo by I Do Art Agency

Artist statement

Since 2018, ceramics has been my primary outlet for artistic expression, driven by a lifelong passion for creativity. I am particularly drawn to clay because of its plasticity and endless opportunities for manipulation and expressions. 

My works are a blend of sculptural, conceptual and functional objects, mostly sculpted by hand. While my artistic expression varies across projects, I consistently gravitate towards abstract shapes and playful textures. I experiment with tactility, surfaces, volume and structural details, as well as playing with scale, varying from smaller sizes to human scale.

I draw my inspiration from different aspects of life, particularly within the detailed constructions and textures from nature and our bodies. I use the clay material to mimic and abstract upon elements from for instance marine life or parts of the human body.

Marie-Louise Fenge Birk Nielsen making clay imprint
Photo by I Do Art Agency

I alternate between two approaches in my work; one heavily rooted in conceptualisation and thematic idea development; for instance expressed through altered and challenging designs of familiar objects from the home, allowing us to view these objects in a new light.

My other approach is characterized by a free, intuitive and explorative dialogue directly with my material. This method aims to release myself of my thinking mind and free my hands in the creative process. Working this way provides a therapeutic outlet, and it is a reaction to living in a world that constantly requires us to evaluate on everything we encounter.

 

My artistic practice hereby serves as a means to process, reflect on and consider myself and my place in the world in a material, social, societal and everyday context. It is a way for me to relate to, but also sometimes to let go of the world around me.

 

The thematic approach to my work is my main characteristic, merging influence from the design, art and craft-fields. Common to my entire creative practice is a deep curiosity for my material, expressed through an experimental and explorative attitude in my work.

 

Marie-Louise Fenge Birk Nielsen (b. 1994) is a Danish ceramic maker, designer and artist, graduating as a Professional Bachelor of Crafts in Glass and Ceramics from The Royal Danish Academy in 2025.

Det Kongelige Akademi understøtter FN’s verdensmål

Siden 2017 har Det Kongelige Akademi arbejdet med FN’s verdensmål. Det afspejler sig i forskning, undervisning og afgangsprojekter. Dette projekt har forholdt sig til følgende FN-mål
CV
Uddannelse og relevante kurser
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Professional Bachelor of Crafts in Glass & Ceramics

The Royal Danish Academy, Nexø (DK)
Field of specialisation: Ceramics.
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Internship w. Myrth Ceramics LCC

Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Uldum Højskole

Uldum (DK)
Courses in Ceramics, Art history, Photography, Leather and Jewellery design
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Regis College

Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Courses in US Political Science and Philosophy
Andre aktiviteter
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Group exhibition "Matter of Making"

Works exhibited at Bornholms Center for Kunsthåndværk - Grønbechs Gård, Hasle (DK)
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Bachelor exhibition 2024

Bachelor project from The Royal Danish Academy exhibited at:
06-08.2024: Bornholms Center for Kunsthåndværk - Grønbechs Gård, Hasle (DK)
09-11.2024: CLAY Keramikmuseum, Middelfart (DK)
Sprog
Danish
English
German