Petra Bittl
Petra Bittl is one of Germany’s leading ceramicists. She undertook her initial training in ceramics at the vocational school in Landshut, Germany. After qualifying, she did further training at the State Technical College for Ceramics Design in Höhr-Grenzhausen, where she graduated, specialising in vessel ceramics under Wolf Matthes.
She then pursued her studies at the Institute of Ceramic and Glass Arts in Höhr-Grenz-hausen, where she was awarded a degree as a ceramic artist. She has had her own studio in Bonn since 2003, and her work has been widely awarded and exhibited in the UK, South Africa, Belgium, Taiwan, China and Australia, as well as all over her native Germany.
The decision, whether to become a painter or a ceramist, was very hard for her. She finally chose to study ceramics, but soon discovered that in creating ceramic-art, she could be both. Her work is painted, scratched, inlaid with porcelain and decorated with slips. The painted elements are simple: circles, spots and lines compliment the hand built and thrown forms rather than destroy them. She has never regretted her decision to take the ceramic route to express her art.
This is three dimensional painting and the range of decorative techniques and effects is impressive. She also works in porcelain as well as stoneware clay and these individual pieces have a quite distinct character.
