What do you do when someone in your house accidentally breaks a delicate ceramic plate or bowl? You probably mope a little at the loss of the precious ceramic cutlery and then throw the broken shards in the dustbin. What else can we do, right? But artist Bouke De Vries uses these damaged ceramics and creates wonderful art out of them.
Born in the Netherlands and living in London at present, Bouke has made a name for himself by creating delicate modern art out of discarded and shattered ceramics. In fact, he’s now being touted as ‘The Porcelain Phoenix”. The goal of the artist is to ensure that all broken ceramics be able to continue living even after they have suffered a fatal “accident”. This is why he attempts to breathe new life in them with his precious skills. According to Bouke, any broken object can be into a work of art in its own right.
The Dutch artist studied at the Central St. Martin’s in London and worked in high fashion before moving towards ceramics conservation and restoration in the early 1990s. He learned this art at West Dean College and has been using his skills ever since by giving a second life to various ceramic objects like plates, vases, cups, or even teapots. Sometimes he uses broken blue willow plates into a map of China and sometimes he uses small shards of porcelain to make the thorns on a blossoming rose. The highlight of Bouke’s art is that he reforms ordinary things into something beautiful that revels in the charms of their previous forms.
The artist has worked with porcelain as a restorer for 15 years and has now begun his own practice. Interestingly, while Bouke searches for broken pottery and glass shards to begin his work, he never breaks an undamaged piece; his only aim is to reinvigorate damaged ceramics.
Let’s now take a look at some of the most beautiful works of Bouke De Vries.
See Also: 27 Ways to Re-Use Broken Household Items
Don’t Miss These Insanely Creative Things People Crocheted
Enjoy these beautiful pictures of crochet artworks.
History’s 7 Most Influential Watercolor Artists
Here, we look back at some of the most famous watercolor artists throughout history whose works continue to be influential.
These Charming Animal Sculptures Are Made From Scraps
Artist Bryony Rose Jennings uses discarded scraps of fabric to build whimsical animal figures. Check out her best works!
The Thinker: Little-Known Facts About the Famous Statue
The Thinker by Auguste Rodin is one of the most famous sculptures in the world. But there's so much we still don't know about it...
These Paintings Transport You to the Mountains
Enjoy this beautiful collection of paintings by renowned Russian artist Nicholas Roerich.
When Art Makes You Reflect Upon the World – 12 Pictures
The creative works of art featured here will make you think about the state of our world.
This Miniature String Quartet Know How to Spring Surprises
This string quartet called 'Joyous String Quartet' are the most talented musicians of their age I've seen so far!
A 5-Year-Old Delivers a Jaw-Dropping Piano Performance!
Meet Jonah Ho, the 5-Year-Old piano prodigy. In this video, he plays Fantasie Impromptu in C-sharp Minor Op.66 of Chopin, and we are STUNNED!
This Beautiful Dance is Unlike Any Other
This performance takes the art of dancing to a whole new level!
An Especially Amusing Classical Hungarian Dance
Watch this great performance and enjoy not only wonderful Hungarian classical music but an amusing show as well!
Spectacular! What an Innovative Form of Art This Is
Have you ever seen sculptures, brooches and decorations like this before? Check out this stunning art!
These Acrobats Are True Masters of Their Craft
Watch these acrobats put on a perfromance like no other.
This Magician Sure Fooled Me! How Did He Do It?
Does this magician have what it takes to fool Penn and Teller? Watch His Fascinating Trick Here.
Dancing on One Leg, This Boy is Incredible!
Watch as this boy performs his one-legged dance routine.
André Rieu Lets An Incredible Singer Amaze Us All..
When she sings, magic is returned to the world...
Leonard Bernstein: 11 Majestic Performances
Get ready to be enchanted by the beautiful classical music played and conducted by one of the most esteemed composers of the 20th century.
Some Choirs Know How to Enchant the World With Their Music
You cannot watch this without smiling...
If You Love Classical Music, You MUST Hear This Pianist
When it comes to musical talent, it doesn't get better than Yuja Wang. Enjoy this lovely performance by the famed classical pianist.
Did You Know These Famous Artworks Have HIDDEN Messages?
The 7 famous paintings and sculptures we showcase in this article have secret messages waiting to be uncovered!
When These Kids Pick Up Guitars Something Amazing Happens
These young North Korean children play like professionals, how is it even possible?
Arsen Kurbanov Captures the Human Condition Like No Other
These wonderful paintings are by Russian artist Arsen Kubanov. He seeks to combine old painting techniques with his own personal style to create his art.
Listen to this 7 Year Old Musician, You Won't Regret It...
And a little boy shall lead them...
Paintings Have Never Looked More Real Than This Artist's
Can you believe these art pieces by Jason de Graaf aren't photos?
Discover the Amazing History & Design of Fabergé Eggs
You've probably heard of Fabergé Eggs, but how much do you actually know about these unique historical jewels?
It is Amazing What This Artist Can Do With Two Strings
Listen to the beauty of a true Erhu master, creating exquisite music with just two strings...
This 91-Year-Old's Beautiful Portraits Touch Our Souls
Why feel bitter about aging when you could just enjoy life? This is the lesson of some wonderful artwork from a mother and son team from Canada.
20 Hilarious Recreations of Famous Paintings
The Getty Museum challenge contiures - 20 more submissions of people recreating their favourite masterpieces at home with hilarious results.
You've NEVER Heard Anything Like These 2000 Marbles...
This genius has built a machine that uses 2000 marbles to create lovely music. You don't see this every day...
INTERACTIVE: 12 of the Most Beautiful Classical Pieces...
By exploring this interactive image you can experience stunning interpretations of timeless melodies, both classic and contemporary. Just click on these keys and watch the magic unfold!
This Young Violinist Will Treat Your Ears to Heaven...
watch as 11 year old Tyler Butler-Figueroa wows the judges of America's Got Talent with his violin music.
These Beautiful Works of Art Are Made With Natural Things
James Brunt loves walking in nature, but he chooses to beautify it even further by creating works of art that blend in with their surroundings. Take a look.
Lifelike Animal Sculptures Made of Cardboard - Stunning!
Believe it or not, these realistic animal sculptures are all made of a material that is found in ample supply in most homes - old cardboard boxes.
I've Never Seen a Choir Do THIS...
I don't think anyone has ever attempted what this choir is doing with ease!
Watch 32,000 Dominoes Fall in Perfect Synchronisation
We present to you 4 minutes of uninterrupted and absolutely incredible domino action, chock full of bright colors and great pictures.
From a Simple Drawing Emerges an Artwork of Sublime Beauty
It takes a while for this painting to emerge, but when it does it's amazing. Watch this great video demonstrate how an art piece comes to life.
The Most Beautiful and Rare Glass Collection in the World
This museum is full of the beauty of glass making.
Not Only a Beautiful Shadow Dance, But Also a Story...
An incredibly talented shadow troupe performing an enchanting dance that tells a story...
A Side Of the Louvre You Never Thought to Look For
The Louvre is the treasure of Paris, and filled with hundreds of thousands of smaller, but equally incredible treasures to fill you with awe
I Can't Believe How Realistic These Woodland Paintings Are
Enjoy 20 of Ivan Shishkin's most beautiful paintings of woodland scenes. You won't believe that you're actually looking at a painting!
These Paintings Transport You to a Pastoral Dream World
Denmark's most famous landscape painter is one of the art world's greatest secrets. Have a look at these wondrous examples of his work.
This Fantastic Bubble Show Will Blow You Away
Bubbles are beautiful, but this fascinating show has taken it to a whole new level!
These Miniature Animal Sculptures Are Just Too Cute!
Katie Doka quit her job as a High School teacher and started making miniature animal statues. Here's some of her fantastic work!
What Patience This Artist Must Have to Create Such Detail
What may seem like a pop-up book at first, is actually elaborate paper architecture.
MUSIC BOX: Click to Listen to 12 of ABBA's Best Songs!
We've compiled a list of 12 of ABBA's greatest hits for your listening pleasure.
The Art of the Watermelon is Actually Stunning and Creative
What a novel and beautiful way to create stunning art, by taking watermelons and carving them up beautifully.
These Canadian Tenors Get a Huge Surprise on Stage
The look on these tenors' faces when they are joined by a special guess is priceless...
In Under 2 Minutes, This Artist Will Blow You Away!
This amazing painter is going to astound you, just give him 90 seconds...