An Interview with Torbjørn Kvasbø President of the International Academy of Ceramics

As soon as we heard that Torbjørn Kvasbo had been successfully nominated as the president-elect of the International Academy of Ceramics, we were keen to hear his thoughts on his new role. We remain grateful that Torbjørn accepted our invitation to respond to our written questions. BM

Describe, in your own words, why you think the International Academy is important - and as an extension to this, what relevance it has to the global field of ceramics.

Dear Bernadette,

I am grateful for this opportunity to provide information about the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC) through your magazine.

Since many of your readers are not yet members of the IAC, and some could be interested to apply, I will share a few extracts from the IAC mission, as formulated in the IAC website (www.aic-iac.org).

These quotes represent my own motivation for being active in the IAC over many years.

The goal of IAC is to stimulate friendship and communication between professionals in the field of ceramics in all countries. IAC develops and encourages all forms of international cooperation to promote ceramics and to encourage and maintain the highest level of quality production in all ceramic cultures.

Today the Academy is the only association devoted to the medium of clay that functions on an international level. IAC combines ceramists, potters, artists, designers, authors, collectors, gallerists, conservators, restorers, curators as well as a panel of prestigious institutions.

More than 60 years after its founding IAC, more than ever, remains steadfast to its commitment to being at the center of an international community representing ceramics at the highest levels. Postulating the universality of ceramic culture as a basic value, IAC continues to foster a dialogue between cultures to assure the continued appreciation of all of the manifestations of ceramics.

Biennially, IAC organizes an international Congress, including a conference focused on a specific theme, national and international exhibitions, and its continued support of private initiatives by galleries and other cultural venues. Thanks to the quality and the representative character of its members, the IAC Congress stimulates cultural activities in the host country and promotes new bonds among institutions, contributing in manifest ways to the development of the necessary synergies for the promotion of ceramic art.

My own background will explain why the IAC is important:

I am a ceramic artist. This work has occupied all my time and taken all my energy over the last 40 years. Early on in my career, even as ceramic art student, I was generously included and supported by colleagues. There is