Ceramist Kārlis Knopkens’ 90th Anniversary Exhibition (December 17, 2021 – January 9, 2022)

For half a century, ceramist and Ogre resident Kārlis Knopkens has been one of the most experienced driving forces in his field, both in Latvia and across the Baltics. This year, the master potter celebrates his 90th birthday and is one of the city’s prides, having recently received the ‘Ogre Person of the Year’ title in the ‘Culture’ nomination during the national holidays.

The most recognizable representative of the old ceramics school once studied at Kuldīga School of Applied Arts (1947–1951), and then at the Ceramics Department of Riga Secondary School of Applied Arts, from which he graduated in 1959 with his diploma work “Winter Flower Window”. Among his teachers were stained glass artist Jēkabs Bīne, painter Antons Megnis, architect Marta Staņa, and ceramist Rūdolfs Heimrāts.

From 1959 to 1970, Kārlis Knopkens worked at the Art Foundation’s Ceramics Workshop — the former Riga Porcelain and Faience Factory, after which he worked as a freelance artist.

1977. In the year, he became a member of the Creative Ceramics Association “Logs”.

The master has dedicated himself to both small and monumental works, not shying away from experimental explorations in color and form.

One of his most notable works is the large 20×7 m wall panel “Migratory Birds”, created in 1983 with ceramist Latvīte Medniece, located in the courtyard of Jelgava University of Agriculture.

The ceramist has participated in exhibitions since 1960, and one of the most recent significant ones was his participation in the Baltic States Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition “Foundations” in 2019 at the Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre.

The master’s zest for life and energy are inspiring — since his first clay pots on cow pastures by a stream in childhood, rich and fruitful years have passed, and the master simply smiles encouragingly: “Thank God, my hands still work!”