EKWC@Princessehof: Linda Swanson

Mineral Bloom

From 22 November 2025, the Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics will host the first solo exhibition in the Netherlands by Linda Swanson (USA, 1967). Swanson draws inspiration from natural processes, and explores the interplay between earth, water and fire in her work. Light things become dark, soft things become hard, solid things begin to flow. Rather than offering explanations, Swanson invites us to observe and experience. In doing so, she reminds us that the universe is a truly amazing place. The exhibition EKWC@Princessehof: Linda Swanson – Mineral Bloom will be on view until 14 June 2026.

People have a desire to explain everything. Yet, even as our knowledge grows, the world only ever discloses itself to us to a limited extent. Linda Swanson works in the gap between what we know and what we can't, without trying to bridge that gap. Ceramics is a dynamic interaction between earth, water, and fire, often resulting in completely unexpected outcomes. This makes it the perfect medium for Swanson to explore and reflect on nature and the power of natural processes.

The exhibition features seven works from her Spectres series (2020): ‘ceramic paintings’ in which she experiments with glaze, metal oxides, heat and gravity. All seven works were acquired with support from the Mondriaan Fund. In the installation Hortus (2025), a layer of powdered clay slowly changes shape under the influence of water, reflecting the natural cycle of absorption and evaporation.

EKWC@Princessehof: Linda Swanson - Mineral Bloom in Keramiekmuseum Princessehof, Leeuwarden

Linda Swanson (USA, 1967) studied at the Tekisui Workshop in Ashiya, Japan, after completing a Bachelor’s degree in Art History at UC Santa Barbara. She then obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ceramics at Cal State Long Beach and a Master of Fine Arts at Alfred University. Since graduating in 2005, she has taught at Alfred University and the Kansas City Art Institute, and she currently lectures at Concordia University in Montreal.

Her works have been exhibited in the United States, Canada and Europe, with recent presentations at the Musée National de Sèvres in Paris, Galateea Contemporary Art in Bucharest, Art Paris with Galerie Maria Lund, the DePaul Museum in Chicago and the Milwaukee Art Museum.

EKWC@PRINCESSEHOF 

Annually, around sixty artists are offered the opportunity to work at the European Ceramic Work Centre (EKWC) in Oisterwijk. As artists-in-residence, they are able to experiment with ceramics for twelve weeks. Every year, the Princessehof exhibits the work of one or two of these artists.

The EKWC is dedicated to encouraging the growth of ceramics within fine art, design, and architecture. The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics highlights the latest developments in the ceramic arts. These presentations are the result of a collaboration between the EKWC and the Princessehof.

EKWC@Princessehof: Linda Swanson – Mineral Bloom was realised with the support of the European Ceramic Work Centre (EKWC).