Collectibles: Jos Devriendt
Belgian designer and ceramic artist Jos Devriendt is known for creating objects that exist somewhere between sculpture and design. His work moves beyond traditional functional objects, transforming everyday items such as lamps and vessels into quiet sculptural presences.
Born in Ostend in 1964, Devriendt studied ceramics at LUCA School of Arts and sculpture at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent. This dual background continues to shape his practice today. His pieces carry the sensitivity of sculpture while maintaining a clear functional purpose. Devriendt often refers to his work as “functional sculptures” — objects that can be used but are equally meant to be experienced visually and spatially.
Light as a Sculptural Element
One of the most recognizable series in Devriendt’s work is Night and Day, which includes the well-known mushroom-shaped porcelain lamps. These lamps explore the relationship between light, material, and time.
During the day, natural light filters softly through the thin porcelain, giving the objects a subtle, almost translucent presence. At night, when the lamp is switched on, the light emerges from within the ceramic form. The object changes character completely — from a quiet sculpture to a glowing presence in the room.
For Devriendt, this transformation is essential. Sculpture, he believes, should not only exist in daylight. Light allows the work to continue living after dark, giving the object a second life.
Form, Colour, and Material
Devriendt’s process begins with form. Once the right shape is found, he experiments with glaze and colour. He often compares this approach to painting. While abstract painters use colour on canvas to give meaning to their work, Devriendt does the same in three dimensions.
Most of his pieces are handcrafted in porcelain or stoneware. The materials are chosen for their ability to interact with light, texture, and glaze. Each object carries small variations that come from the handmade process — subtle differences that make every piece unique.
A Dialogue Between Art and Design
Over the years, Devriendt’s work has been exhibited internationally, including solo exhibitions in New York, London, Tokyo, and Belgium. His pieces range from lamps and vessels to furniture and jewelry, but they all share the same calm presence and refined simplicity.
Rather than following trends, Devriendt focuses on timeless forms and materials. His objects are quiet, balanced, and thoughtful — designed to exist comfortably within a space while still carrying the strength of sculpture.
In this way, his work continues to blur the boundaries between art, design, and architecture, creating pieces that are both functional and deeply expressive.