Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 141, The McAulay Gallery

Rode Rat

Sculpture
2004 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Carolein Smit is one of the most exciting contemporary ceramics artists in the Netherlands. She worked as an illustrator and painter for years before being introduced to working in ceramics at the European Ceramics Work Centre in Den Bosch.
Smit's animal figures have extremely evocative postures, embued with a certain vulnerability. This rat figure is built up from small ceramic filaments joined together to form a highly stylised surface pattern. Glazed in lustrous red, the viewer is given the impression of a skinned animal. Smit is a master in creating a dual emotional charge, in this way; a sensitivity that makes her creatures both endearing and macabre.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Rode Rat (assigned by artist)
  • Red Rat (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Ceramic filaments glazed in lustrous red
Brief description
Ceramic sculpture in the form of a rat, built up from clay filaments glazed in lustrous red, made by Carolein Smit, The Netherlands, 2004.
Physical description
Ceramic sculpture in the form of a red rat, built up from clay filaments glazed in lustrous red.
Dimensions
  • Maximum length: 60.1cm
  • Maximum width: 17.6cm
  • Maximum height: 15.2cm
Credit line
Given by Ben Janssens Oriental Art
Object history
Acquired by V&A from 'Collect 2005'. Purchased for us by Ben Janssens Oriental Art. Smit's animal figures have extremely evocative postures, embued with a certain vulnerability. This rat figure is built up from small ceramic filaments joined together to form a highly stylised surface pattern. Glazed in lustrous red, the viewer is given the impression of a skinned animal. Smit is a master in creating a dual emotional charge, in this way; a sensitivity that makes her creatures both endearing and macabre.

Historical significance: Carolein Smit is one of the most exciting contemporary ceramics artists in the Netherlands. She worked as an illustrator and painter for years before being introduced to working in ceramics at the European Ceramics Work Centre in Den Bosch.
Summary
Carolein Smit is one of the most exciting contemporary ceramics artists in the Netherlands. She worked as an illustrator and painter for years before being introduced to working in ceramics at the European Ceramics Work Centre in Den Bosch.
Smit's animal figures have extremely evocative postures, embued with a certain vulnerability. This rat figure is built up from small ceramic filaments joined together to form a highly stylised surface pattern. Glazed in lustrous red, the viewer is given the impression of a skinned animal. Smit is a master in creating a dual emotional charge, in this way; a sensitivity that makes her creatures both endearing and macabre.
Bibliographic references
  • Carolein Smit (text by Frits Achten), "Innocenti", Shit Happens 2005
  • Lise Seisboll, "Danmarks Keramikmuseum", 1997
  • V&A Ceramics and Glass Collection Object Information File
Collection
Accession number
C.49-2005

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Record createdDecember 7, 2005
Record URL
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