Christina Schou Christensen
Christina Schou Christensen is a ceramic artist living and working in Denmark. Her work challenges the use of ceramic glaze and stoneware by reinterpreting conventional materials in an intriguingly unconventional way.
If you had access to all the powers, how would you improve the world?
Definitely stop all sorts of poverty and thus war and making sure that we as human beings are not exploiting our planet.
What are the biggest sustainability challenges in your work and how are you addressing them?
Making ceramics is not sustainable at all. I feel good about the green energy that my power provider claims he is delivering. At least, some of it, is based on sun and wind energy. The materials, that I use, come out of the ground somewhere from around the world. It bothers me that I still don’t have the machine that can grind existing porcelain, ceramics and glass into powder. Powders that I could use when composing my clay and glazes. Or even develop new products based solely on reused materials.
Which conscious lifestyle choices are you making? And are you considering any new ones?
I rarely buy new furniture, clothes or the like. When I do buy new clothes I buy good quality textiles and something I want to wear until it’s worn out. At one point I didn’t buy any new clothes for a year. It really turned around my habits regarding shopping. I do love making my own clothes, sewing and knitting, and altering old clothes. I am trying to avoid too much meat. Its not easy for me to change into 100% vegan – but I would actually love to do it.
What have you rebelled against in the past, and what are you rebelling against now?
Actually Im not really a rebel or I don’t see my self as one. A lot of people see me as very courageous because I quite my former career to do ceramics. I saw it as a necessity more than courage. Without knowing it, I discovered that some ceramicists working with glaze, find my way of making glazes provoking. I was once told that it was not a way to do glazes, since then everyone could make glazes. And yes, that is true. Everyone can make their own glazes. It surprised me that some was provoked of my experimental approach. And I am also very stubborn and I will keep on doing ceramics even though it might not make sense from a financial perspective, but it’s really what I love to do.
Do you use your own work?
No, I don’t.
What was the inspiration for your Steinbeisser pieces?
Actually the task given: sharing vessel, was my inspiration. My pieces are bowls with a thick rim, something that you also see in old dough bowls in earthenware.
Describe your work in 3 words!
Surprising. Defying gravity.
What kind of materials do you use and where do you get them from?
I use ordinary ceramic materials such as stoneware clay and raw materials to mix my own glazes. All bought at the biggest ceramic supplier in Denmark. I do have ideas as mentioned above to reuse materials.
What has been your favourite dinner experience?
Kadeau, an amazing restaurant on Bornholm with Michelin stars and they are fantastic in spoiling you for hours.
What excites you about tomorrow?
To see my new studio slowly take form.
What are you 3 favourite pieces on Jouw…?
All of the Jochen Holz glasses, the Wooden Spoons by Patrizia Keller, and the Gold Wrench Fork by Nils Hint.