Hanneke Engel - Waddinxveen - Netherlands

Hanneke Engel (1963) started as Master-Tailor (male-clothing) after she finished the 'Tradeschool for Vogue and Clothing' in The Hague in 1984. The next year she also finished the female-clothing course at this school. For the next nine years she would teach women to make clothes. As from the mid 90's of the last century she also returned to an old trade she liked to spend her time with as a child: moulding and carving.

She attended classes at 'De Werkschuit' in Gouda and with Josiah Onemu in Waddinxveen. In 2001 she returned to school, and went to the 'Ambachtelijke opleiding Keramische Technieken' (Craft Industry training in Ceramic Techniques) at SBB in Gouda. During this three-year training she worked as an apprentice for one year in a pottery in Rotterdam. From October 2003 till December 2007 she worked as kiln operator at the school of SBB. In 2004-2005 she attended an extra year 'handshaping' at SBB, in 2006-2007 an extra year "glazing". She still attends lectures and trainings at a regular basis.

Since 2005 she creates her artwork in her 'Ceramic Workshop Hyla Cinerea'. Hanneke's focus is on hand-shaped, monumental objects. Her work is characterized by several style elements: tight shapes, in abstract sculptures as well in bowls and vases, continuously trying to push the limits imposed by the material. Often she combines the ceramic material with metal shapes, like a slab of lead, rusted steel or oxidated copper thread. Frequently, Hanneke adds plaques of pure rust, or rusted steel parts, to contrast with the color of the object. The rust is collected at shipyards. It is steel that, once being a part of a ship, has travelled across Europe’s rivers and canals, before coming to rest in one of Hanneke's objects.