"Creative Tradesman" Peter Siemssen initiated this rather personal publication - a book filled with factual knowledge and passion. Against the background of decades of experiences and encounters with ceramicists, Siemssen presents selected works from his collection. Ordered by geographical classification, the book illustrates Japanese, German, Scandinavian, Western European, North American and Mediterranean ceramics showing a comprehensive spectrum of significant works. The chapter about Gilbert Portanier, with whom Peter Siemssen enjoys a very special artistic and personal bond, forms the highlight of the book. Documentary images of original works accompanied by written interpretations, artists'biographies and Peter Siemssen's vividly recounted anecdotes afford the reader easy access to the subject of ceramic art. Renowned ceramic experts set the course with their professional contributions.

This compilation of 50 ceramic artists introduces a collection of unique international importance in terms of its diversity and significance.

Peter Siemssen manages to show through his descriptions of eventful encounters with potters in Japan, Germany, Scandinavia,Western Europe and North America the great enthusiasm that original contemporary ceramics works can still evoke today.

It is a first of its kind publication where a ceramics collector describes his collection and personal contacts with the artists.

The true photographic representations are complemented by written essays and artist biographies compiled by the author Carsten Frerk and serve to open up the world of ceramic art to both layman and collector.Renowned experts set the course with further written contributions.

Foreword Peter Siemssen

In praise of a creative tradesman Heinz Spielmann

JAPANESE CERAMICS

GERMAN CERAMICS

Peter Siemssen and his furor ceramicus Wilhelm Hornbostel

Searching for original folk art Lord David Queensberry

SCANDINAVIAN CERAMICS

Wiinvlad on Wiinvlad Bjorn Wiinblad

WESTERN EUROPEAN AND NORTH AMERICAN CERAMICS

MEDITERANEAN CERAMICS

Ceramics-the long and arduous road to art status Benno Hvbner

Portanier on Portanier Gilbert Portanier

Gilbert Portanier-ceramics-a lifelong passion Jacques Wolgensinger

The Art House for Ceramics Carsten Frerk

First Artist-in-Residence in the New Ceramics Studio Renee Reichenbach

Silke Decker in the Peter Siemssen Foundation Silke Decker

Peter Siemssen as Collector and Sponsor Rvdiger Joppien

We burn for you! Gunilla, Corinna and Vanessa Siemssen

To live and love ceramics? Stefani Siemssen

The cycle of life - a retrospective Peter Siemssen with Carsten Frerk