1. Visit specialized art spaces

You can identify and follow the activities of art galleries and museums which are specialized in the promotion of ceramic art. From small galleries to major museums, many offer great resources to learn more about the history of ceramics and their place within visual arts. Some specialized museums keep various pottery objects including pots, tiles, and figurines in their permanent collection. They often present a set of curated art pieces which share a common storyline. For instance, the Gardiner Museum in Toronto possesses over 4,000 pieces divided in two areas, earthenware and porcelain objects. In addition to owning an extensive bookstore, the museum has organized and hosted a variety of ceramics-themed exhibitions and art talks about craftsmanship.

2. Attend various art events

You should attend different art events including art fairs and art auctions to familiarize yourself with the artworks you could like or not. Art galleries promoting the work of ceramists are participating in specialized art fairs such as Collect. The fair shows how diverse the ceramics discipline has become, displaying a range of pieces made in the last five years. Since galleries are carefully selected, you could find new or museum-quality works from living artists as well as pieces created especially for the fair. Auction houses such as Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Artcurial offer ceramics and contemporary objects through periodic sales. Here you could get a sense of ceramics’ value and other people taste. Another way to get a feel for what you might like or not is to join open studio days or market days. They are great ways to meet a ceramist in person or discover pottery objects by some of the leading artists.  

3. Explore work of established artists

While pottery has often been overlooked in favor of fine art, the perception has really started to change in recent years. That change came from contemporary artists who deviated from the dominant pottery tradition by creating playful, conceptual work that expanded the ceramic field and made it more popular. These established artists such as Magdalene Odundo and Chris Bramble amongst others, have made huge strides in reimagining the way we think about ceramics. They pushed boundaries by creating brighter and more complex objects, often inventing new geometric forms or adding political narrative. Their approach influenced many ceramists who have developed their own art style, which is now appealing for several collectors. Indeed, you should look for original work and highly collectible objects including limited-edition of pottery handcrafted and signed by inspired artists.

4. Discover new artists

In order to discover new ceramic artworks, you could start watching art schools that offer specific programs and artist residencies in the ceramic field. Some schools organize year-end exhibitions, showcasing work of students or emerging artists. Some of them are breaking rules with innovative work, which evoke traditional ceramics blended with contemporary symbols. Others are using their social media presence to draw in a broader audience who will find the content appealing or educational. Indeed, emerging ceramists are more prone to express their personal or even intimate issues that would have been discarded in the past. The resulting artworks resonate with some collectors who are sensitive to their distinctive history, creating an invisible connection between the collector and the artist.

5. Seek ceramics aligned with your style and budget

You should buy ceramics that will fit in your décor if your goal is to display them every day. Ceramics are things that can make your environment more enjoyable and practical. So, it’s important to pick pieces that appeal to you, otherwise they will be left languishing in a box somewhere. Start building your collection by acquiring relatively affordable items, and in perfect condition whenever possible. Some will advise against buying a restored work but a damaged or restored object will lower the price. So, you should consider buying the piece you are looking for, if the imperfection makes it affordable. You shouldn’t go beyond your budget either, knowing you could still buy very good work made by well-known artists. Instead of spreading your budget over several pieces, try to consider acquiring only a single item at a time. In the end, you should look for a piece you have long aspired to own.