Steen Ipsen is a sculptor where clay is his material. Throughout his career he pursued the in-depth exploration of a variety of themes with geometric shapes as a key focus. Ornaments are often present in Ipsen’s sculptures in the form of the components that constitute the whole. He works in a decorative ceramic expression that involves both form and decoration. Decoration is integrated into the form and the form itself is spatially decorative.
The continual simplification requiring perfection in execution which he masters with almost superhuman proficiency. The underlying constraint stands in contrast to the intuitive composition and the bright clear glaze colors add a free and easy engaging energy.
In contrast to his works, you can see colored strings or hand-decorated patterns expressing the influence of the sculptures’ movements and how to put the works into a spatial context by shoving a strong graphic expression. The sculptures are all unique. Ipsen does not use any kind of computer-generated solutions. The process is based on hand-built elements in terms and variations and freehand modeled objects. He focuses on a high level of craftsmanship.
Steen Ipsen (b. 1966, Naestved, Denmark) lives and works in Copenhagen. He graduated from The Royal Danish Academy, School of Design in 1990. He was head of the Academy’s Department of glass and ceramics from 1996-2004. Ipsen has built an international career and been exhibiting throughout most of the world: Gallery Dock 56, Hamburg (2010-2011), NeC Paris (2010, 2014, 2016, 2019), NeC Hong Kong (2012), Cheongju International Craft Biennale South Korea (2013), Puls Gallery Bruxelles (2013, 2016), Galerie Provence (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026), Duran Mashaal Gallery, Montreal (2020), Simard Bilodeau Gallery, Los Angeles (2020), HB 381 Gallery, New York (2023), Kant Galleri, København (2024). His works are included in many public and private collections, including Victoria & Albert Museum, Houston City Collection, AZU Art Museum in Arizona, RISD Museum on Rhode Island. Louvre MAD in Paris, Museé des Sevres in Paris, Trapholt Kolding, Clay Ceramic Museum Denmark, Design Museum Denmark. The Danish Embassy in Washington and Tokyo. Danish Arts Foundation and Carlsberg Foundation, among others. Ipsen has been awarded with numerous grants including The Danish Arts Foundations three years Working Grants, The Danish Arts Foundation, The New Carlsberg Foundation, The Danish National Bank of Denmark´s Anniversary Foundation, Danish Crafts, Augustinus Foundation, Bikuben Foundation, L. F. Foghts Foundation, Detlefs big art prize. Appreciation grant from The Danish National Bank´s Anniversary Foundation. He has been member of the board of The Danish Arts Foundation, Danish Crafts and are member of The Danish Arts Community and member of AIC-IAC (International Academy of Ceramics).
FORMAT
Format was founded in 1991 and is a leading gallery for contemporary crafts and design in Norway. The gallery is an exhibition and sales venue of the finest artistic quality within the material-based arts. The gallery aims to strengthen the position of Norwegian contemporary crafts and design internationally and through working with both established and emerging artists the gallery reflects the various tendencies in contemporary crafts and design today. The gallery’s goal is to challenge established norms while highlighting key values in the field by actively bringing a wider spectrum of artistic practices in material-based art to the fore.
Board members
Gudrun Eidsvik (chair), Dag Harlem, Marit Reiten, Ann Kristin Aas, Hanne Øverland, Anne Thomassen (alternate)
Floor plan
Opening hours
Tuesday - Friday 12 - 17
Saturday - Sunday 12 - 16
Closed during the Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and Summer Holidays (July)
Accessibility
Format is accessible for disabled guests and wheelchair users. You can find a wheelchair access next door to the gallery in Kongens gate.
Contact
Format
Rådhusgaten 24 N-0151 Oslo
T +47 22 41 45 40
oslo@format.no