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
These Colorful Embroideries Bring Dead Leaves Back to Life
A Brazilian artist named Solange Nunes uses dead leaves as a canvas for embroidery. Check out some of her best works.
This Chef’s Art-Like Pasta Designs Will Blow Your Mind
Chef David Rivillo likes to make unique designs from pasta. Check out some of his incredible creations.
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.
These Creative Snow Sculptures Will Blow Your Mind
Winter is the time to head to the backyard and create something unique with snow. Take some inspiration from these people.
Hyper-Realistic Drawings That Are Simply Outstanding
Marvel at these outstandingly real hyper-realistic drawings
13 Lovely, Moving & Detailed Pencil Lead Sculptures
Check out the beautiful tiny and highly detailed sculptures artist Jasenko Đorđević carves out of pencil lead.
This Tiny World is Lit Up by a Single Thread
Watch this wholesome commercial for a Japanese electricity firm.
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.
Meet 14-Year-Old Singaporean Violin Prodigy, Chloe Chua
Chloe Chua is a 14-year-old violin prodigy from Singapore. Watch her put on a mesmerizing show.
Ancient History Comes to Life With These Reconstructions
Take a look at these amazing reconstructions of the faces of famous people from ancient Greece and Rome.
Electrifying Piano: "When the Rain Begins to Fall"
In a modern and sweeping performance of the song 'When the rain begins to fall,' German pianist Valentina Babur demonstrates very impressive musical abilities
15 Cute Pictures With a Deep Inspirational Subtext
These wonderful pictures are guaranteed to inspire you and brighten your day!
Admire Upcycled Denim Scraps Turned Into Incredible Art
Meet Deniz Sağdıç, a multimedia artist who uses upcycled denim scraps to make the most strikingly realistic portraits, some of which you might recognize!
These Geometric Arrangements are So Pleasing to the Eye!
This American artist uses objects you can find around the house and turns them into beautiful art arrangements.
Watch This 'Sand Artist' Amaze Everyone!
This gorgeous art should definitely make a comeback.
Who Knew Paper Cups Make Such an Excellent Canvas!
This Turkish artist commemorates his travels by illustrating them on paper cups!
Watch This Child Prodigy Play a Sublime Vivaldi
Enjoy this beautiful rendition of Vivaldi's Four Seasons by this incredible prodigy.
You MUST Watch This World Circus Acrobatic Performance!
This acrobatic performance is unlike anything you will ever watch! Remarkable!
Artist Makes Beautiful Wood-Based Art Using Reclaimed Wood
Canadian artist Jynae Bergeron makes beautiful wood-based art using reclaimed wood
What's Piano Dance Music? Let a Young Virtuoso Demonstrate
Have you always thought that the world of classical music and modern dance music should never meet? If so, then let this young virtuoso prove otherwise.
Renaissance-Man Raphael Was an Incredible Genius...
Did you know that Renaissance master, Raphael, died at the tender age of 37? How he could produce such a library of masterpieces is truly astonishing!
Admire the Detail and Beauty of Hank Cheng’s Dioramas
Hank Cheng's vivid and detailed miniature models, depicting mostly his hometown in Taiwan, are seeing success around the world and rightfully so.
Inflatable Dinosaurs Light Up the Streets of Paris
Travel to this mesmerizing outdoor light exhibition in Jardin des Plantes in Paris.
13 Lovely, Moving & Detailed Pencil Lead Sculptures
Check out the beautiful tiny and highly detailed sculptures artist Jasenko Đorđević carves out of pencil lead.
How the Smithsonian Restored Dorothy's Ruby Slippers
In 2018, the Smithsonian museum restored Dorothy's ruby slippers. Watch along the restoration process and see these iconic shoes from a brand new perspective!
Unbelievable Talent: 5 Unforgettable Dance Performances
Although these dance performances are from different genres, they all have one thing in common: the wow factor. These talented dancers will leave you in awe...
When Art and Technology Meet: Beautiful-Laser Cut Pieces
These artists utilize laser cutting techniques to create the most intricate and beautiful artworks - from ornaments to 3D books.
12 Stunning Embroideries You’ve Got to See!
The 12 beautiful pieces we’re about to share with you show why embroidery is an art form and not merely a craft.
This Beautiful Archlute Performance Will Make Your Day
Watch a musician perform a mesmerizing rendition of J.S. Bach’s 'Prelude in C Major' on the archlute.
20 Modern Sculptures That Prove Art Is Alive and Well!
Here are some of the world's most notable examples of modern sculpture. These awesome designs should be in every city!
The Many Hues of Red Throughout History
Red is the first color humans learned to utilize in art and a color that has a deep symbolic meaning across all cultures. Learn about the history of red in art.
Meet Isabella Brazhnikova, a 12-Year-Old Drawing Prodigy
Isabella Brazhnikova is a 12-year-old drawing prodigy who has been producing stunningly realistic wildlife art.
16 Unforgettable Tracks By Nat King Cole
Celebrate the beautiful music of one of the most influential jazz pianists and vocalists in history - Nat King Cole.
Artist Uses Paperclips and Candy to Recreate Famous Art
It’s breathtaking how this artist captures the unique mood and style of these iconic artworks using found objects like Tic Tacs and cereal!
10 of the Most Influential Paintings by William Blake
William Blake was one of the most influential poets in history. Did you know that he was also a great painter?
Stunning! These Beautiful Sculptures Are Made Out of Soap!
Barresi discovered all that he could do with a simple bar of soap.
A Spectacular Performance by Two Legends!
An exciting performance by two classic greats - Louis Armstrong and Danny Kaye!
This Soft Spoken Graphic Designer Gave a Loud Performance!
Matthew Richardson seems like a mild-mannered graphic designer but his performance was out of this world and stunned the judges.
Better Than Photos! 21 Unbelievably Real Paintings
These hyper-realistic oil and acrylic paintings are like photos in many ways. Except, they're much better!
A 200 Year Old Tradition Is Kept Alive by This Artist
Saied Hussain is one of the last artists in Egypt to produce transitional handmade cement tiles. This video offers a peek into this unique art form and business.
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...
You’ll Never Guess What These Portraits Are Made Of!
These amazing portraits are made entirely out of denim!
The Wonders of Nature and Space Combined in Stunning Art
These realistic embroideries are like a little window into a parallel universe!
This Wood Artist Honors the Natural Curve of Each Branch!
This woodworking artist's creations look so natural they could've grown the way they are out of the ground.
Watch Used Teabags Transform Into Beautiful Watercolor Art
This artist repurposes used teabags into canvases for her beautiful miniature watercolor paintings of animals, people, and plants!
How to Impress a Woman According to This String Quartet
Watch a fascinating combined-skills performance by a string quartet.
This Makeup Artist Tells Whole Stories Through Eyeshadow
Makeup artist Tal Peleg uses the eyelids as canvases and uses the unusual shape and size to her advantage - the result is detailed and vibrant artworks.