Discover World-Class Ceramic Art at CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art Denmark – and save with DESIGNalliance
CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art in Middelfart hosts a dynamic program of exhibitions featuring works by internationally renowned ceramic artists from Denmark and abroad. As a DESIGNalliance member, you enjoy a discounted entrance fee of 130 DKK (regular price 140 DKK).
This discount cannot be combined with other offers, such as group rates.
Partner:
CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art Denmark
Kongebrovej 42, 5500 Middelfart
A One-of-a-Kind Experience in the Nordics
Nestled on the scenic edge of Lillebælt, CLAY is the only museum in the Nordic region dedicated entirely to contemporary Danish and international ceramic art, craft, and design. With its stunning architecture and coastal location, it’s also one of the most beautiful museums in Denmark.
New Exhibition: Lucie Rie – The Adventure of Pottery
October 13, 2024 – March 30, 2025
“For me, making pottery is like an adventure. Each new piece is a new beginning.”
– Lucie Rie, c. 1951
For the first time in Denmark, dive into the extraordinary world of Lucie Rie, the Austrian-born ceramicist who became a towering figure in 20th-century British ceramics. In 1991, her influence and achievements were officially recognized when she was named Dame Lucie Rie.
Known for her modernist, minimalist style and quiet elegance, Rie’s work continues to inspire. This exhibition features a wide range of her iconic vases, bowls, and a dazzling display of her ceramic buttons – tiny, sculptural masterpieces in their own right.
Her life story is as powerful as her art: having achieved artistic acclaim in Austria, she fled to England in 1938 following the Nazi annexation. Despite hardship, she continued to evolve and push boundaries in ceramic art.
The exhibition also includes the acclaimed BBC documentary from 1982, where Rie is interviewed in her London studio by broadcaster David Attenborough.
Curated by Sanne Flyvbjerg and Pia Wirnfeldt, this exhibition is adapted from a major UK presentation developed by Kettle’s Yard (University of Cambridge), MIMA (Teesside University), and The Holburne Museum (Bath), with additional pieces from private collections exclusive to the CLAY presentation.
More to Explore at CLAY
CLAY’s rotating exhibitions showcase how a lump of clay can be transformed into anything from fine porcelain to monumental sculptures. Don’t miss the museum’s “Treasure Chamber”, where you can follow more than 235 years of Danish ceramic tradition. It features iconic pieces from Denmark’s most celebrated ceramic manufacturers: Royal Copenhagen, Aluminia, and Bing & Grøndahl.
Check out current exhibitions at CLAY here
About the Museum
CLAY opened in 1994 in the stately Grimmerhus mansion. Between 2013 and 2015, the museum doubled in size with a striking modern extension. In October 2023, a new high-security gallery was inaugurated with space for large-scale international exhibitions. While most of the exhibition spaces are underground, floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of the water and both Lillebælt bridges.