For many years, I worked in archaeology, an experience that remains one of the primary sources of inspiration for my artistic practice. Taking archaic forms as a point of departure, I create works using raw materials collected directly from nature.
At the core of my practice is the transformation of material—altering, recombining, and placing it into new contexts. Millions of years ago, the Earth’s surface was liquid; in my studio, I replicate on a small scale the geological processes that have shaped our planet over eons.
Traveling around the world and conducting field research, I gather wild clays, limestone, dolomite, magma, lava, ash, sand, and other raw elements. Through continuous firing experiments, I explore the intrinsic properties and textures of these found substances. Evoking ancient vessels unearthed from deep subterranean layers, my vases feature complex, multi-layered textures that bridge geological time with contemporary art.
Our Earth is in a constant state of movement and metamorphosis—and for me, engaging with this process is a profound privilege.
Biography
Viktoriia Kurganskaia is a Hamburg-based ceramic artist (b. 1988). Background includes a Master’s degree in History and work in archaeology specializing in ancient ceramics—a foundation that directly informs a contemporary studio practice.
Awards & Recognition: Winner of the Young Masters Prize in London (2022) for the research project FRAGILE MATTER; recipient of the Carolina D’Amico Prize for Contemporary Craft (2026).
Memberships: ADK Verein Hamburg (since 2022) and the International Association of Art (IAA/UNESCO, since 2024).
Exhibitions & Residencies: Participant in numerous international residencies and exhibitions, including the 2024 and 2026 Biennials for Applied Arts at the Museum der Arbeit (Hamburg).