Event History
This biennial award supports and promotes artists working with ceramics in contemporary art and collectible design.
What Makes this event different?
The competition is open to all contemporary artists and designers of any age, whether emerging or established, individuals or members of collectives, and with no restrictions on theme, gender or nationality, who use ceramics as an artistic medium.
Applications are open to the fourth edition of the Officine Saffi Award.
This biennial award supports and promotes artists working with ceramics in contemporary art and collectible design.
Up for grabs €10,000 along with 8 Residency prizes in collaboration with major international partners.
The finalists of the award - which will be exhibited at Officine Saffi in Milan - are selected by a commission composed of important figures from the world of art and design:
Garth Clark, editor-in-chief Cfile
Annalisa Rosso, editor-in-chief Icon Design
Glenn Adamson, curator
Matt Wedel, artist
Elisa Ossino, architect, interior designer
Jill Singer and Monika Khemsurov, editors-in-chief Sight Unseen
Isabelle Naef Galuba, director Musée Ariana
Laura Borghi, founder Officine Saffi
The winner of the € 10,000 cash prize will be selected by an exceptional jury:
Alessandro Rabottini, artistic director, miart
Livia Peraldo Matton, editor-in-chief Elle Décor
Christian Larsen, Curator at MAD Museum
Alvise Braga Illa, collector
Julian Stair, artist
Carolina Orsini, Conservation at MUDEC
Laura Borghi, founder Officine Saffi
Along with the first prize, many residency prizes offered by some of the most prestigious international centres, such as:
Sundaymorning@ekwc, The Netherlands
Guldagergaard, Denmark
Bruckner Foundation, Switzerland
Mondovì Ceramics Museum, Italy
Este Ceramiche
International Ceramic Art Festival, Sasama, Japan
Päivi Rintaniemi and Seinäjoki City, Finland
Officine Saffi Special Award
Applications are open online on the website www.officinesaffi.com/awards until November 30th 2020.
The award is conceived, supported and organized by Officine Saffi to promote ceramics in contemporary culture. It is an excellent opportunity to create a platform where emerging artists can dialogue with established ones and with leading figures in contemporary art and design.
Officine Saffi is a cultural association that has been promoting international contemporary ceramics since 2011. The project has stood out over the years for its multidisciplinary approach, embracing the worlds of contemporary art, design and applied arts. It pursues its mission through a gallery, workshop, publishing house and a biennial award. These all work independently, while sharing the same spirit of refinement, selection and innovation. The founder, Laura Borghi, guides every project with support from a young and passionate team. In collaboration with its international partners, Officine Saffi has built a network that has played a fundamental role over the years in spreading the culture of ceramics in Italy and abroad.
The Award would not be possible without the precious support of:
Sundaymonring@ekwc: https://sundaymorning.ekwc.nl/
Guldagergaard: http://ceramic.dk/
Mondovì Ceramics Museum: https://www.museoceramicamondovi.it/
Bruckner Foundation: http://www.ceramique-bruckner.ch/en
Este Ceramiche: https://www.esteceramiche.com/it/
Päivi Rintaniemi: https://rintaniemi.fi/
Seinäjoki City: https://www.seinajoki.fi/
ICAF, Sasama: https://www.icaf-sasama-en.com/
Media Partners: Artribune, Exibart, That’s Contemporary
Under the patronage of The International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza
