Patrick Bergsma (b. 1965) is a Dutch sculptor and ceramicist currently working in Heerhugowaard, Netherlands, known for constructing verdant growth emerging from antique pottery. The son of antique shop owners and grandson of an avid porcelain collector, Bergsma expresses the life and culture embedded into the valuable artifact, both demolished and held strong by his sculpted floral growth.

 

“What we call typically Dutch like Delft blue was originally an attempt to imitate the very popular porcelain imported from China and Japan. In this series I often use these 17th century “imitations”, combined with the natural elements like bonsai and ikebana. In Japan there is a tradition to repair broken porcelain with golden glue called “kintsugi.” According to the philosophy it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. In these works, it is as if the natural elements reshape these old cultural remains from our civilization.” -Artist Statement