MANUEL CANU AND HIS WORK
Visual artist Manuel Canu (IT) lives and work in Copenhagen. Manuel Canu works are exposed mainly through public institutions and galleries. In the recent years Canu career has gained considerable achievements in relation to the exposure of his work and engagement with the national and international art scene. First debuting in Denmark with his works selected for the celebrated Forårsudstillingen and Kunsternes Afterårsudstilling where he won the Patricia Asbæk Prize. Following he exhibit internationally at the National History Museum of Tblisi, Georgia, and at Fondation Bruckner in Geneve, Switzerland. He takes part of numerous national exhibition such Gammel Gård Kunst Center, Janus Vest-Julland Kunst Museum and latest major exhibition at Clay Museum Denmark.
Manuel Canu reflects on the historical intertwining of nature and architecture, reimagining clay as a medium for both decoration and structure within the context of contemporary art. With a commitment to craftsmanship and exploration of space, gravity, and materiality, Canus installations and sculptural ceramics serve as a visual narrative, paying homage to the echoes of the past while resonating with the demands of the present moment. Through mythic storytelling and the exploration of transient beauty, Canu invites contemplation on the intricate interplay between humanity, nature, and the spiritual realm.
Manuel Canu CV
Education
2004-2007 BA-H Ceramic Design, Bath Spa University
2002-2004 ND Craft Design City of Bath College
Current and Upcoming
2023-2024, ‘STYKKER FOR LEIRE’ , workshop and exhibition, Kunsthall Grenland, Porsgrunn, Norway.
2024, Solo exhibition, Direktorenhaus Museum, Berlin, Germany
Exhibitions
2024, ‘Veritas’, Nicolai Kunst og Design, Kolding, Denmark.
2023, ‘Bloom’, Gether Contemporary, København, Denmark
2023, Call Me Ornament 2, Direktorenhouse Museum, Am Krögel 2, 10179 Berlin, Germany
2023, Exhibition ‘Common Ground’, Til:Værks Gallery, April til Juni 2023, Copenhagen, Denmark
2023, ‘Rå Stof’, with Jordens Hus at Statsfængsel Vridsløselille, Denmark
2022-2023 ‘Call Me Ornament’, Direktorenhouse Museum, Am Krögel 2, 10179 Berlin, Germany
2021-2022 ‘Field Station’, Slam at IFÖ Center, Bromölla, Sweden
2021, ’Nature Traces & Reflections’ at Clay Ceramic Museum Denmark, 25th September 2021- 13th March 2022, Denmark
2020, ‘Come Again’, Officinet, Copenhagen, Denmark
2019, Solo Exhibition, Vennepunkt, Copenhagen, Denmark
2019, Solo Exhibition, Parcours Ceramique Carougeois, 16th International Contemporary Ceramic Biennale, Carougeois, Géneve, Switzerland
2019, MellemRum, Janus – Vestjyllands Kunstmuseum, Denmark
2018, A Mad Tea Party, Tbilisi National History Museum, Tbilisi, Georgia
2018, The whims of the eyelid, Okcorral, Copenhagen, Denmark
2018, Reform Design Biennale, Munkeruphus, Denmark
2018, Forårsudstillingen-18, Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, Denmark
2017, MellemRum, Gammelgaard Kunst og Kultur Center, Herlev, Denmark
2016, Botanical Propagation, CCA Andratx, Mallorca, Spain
2016, Sølv, Gold-Smidt Assembly, London, UK
2015, Charlottenborg Forårudstilling, København, Denmark
2014, Kunstnernes Efterårsudstilling, Denfrie, København, Denmark
2013, Craft and Design Biennale, Råndtårn, København, Denmark
2009, Ceramic Art London, Royal College of Art, London
2008,Network project, Grimerhuse Museum of Ceramics,Denmark
2008, Setting Out 2008, Brewery Arts, Cirencester
2008, Talente, International Trade Fair for the Skilled Trades Munich
2008, Setting Out 2008, Contemporary Ceramics, London
2007, New Designers, Business Design Centre, London
2007, Breaking Out, Air Gallery, London
Honors and grants
2020-Work Grant, Danish Arts Foundation
2020-Work Grant, Clay, Danish Arts Foundation
2020-Work Grant, Come Again, Danish Arts Foundation
2019-Work Grant, Tradition, Danish Arts Foundation
2019-Work Grant, Nationalbankens Jubilæumdfond
2018- Work Grant, A Mad Tea Party, Danish Arts Foundation
2018-Work Grant, MELLEM/RUM, Danish Arts Foundation
2018- Work Grant for Reform Design Biennale 2018, Danish Arts Foundation
2018- Work Grant, Danish Arts Foundation
2017- Work Grant, Danish Arts Foundation
2016- Work Grant, MELLEM/RUM, Danish Arts Foundation
2016- Work Grant, Sølv- Kunstnernes Efterårsudstilling, Danish Arts Foundation
2016- Work Grant, Sølv, Nationalbankens Jubilæumdfond
2015, Award nominee, Charlottenborg Forårudstilling, København, Denmark
2015 - Grant Artist in Residncy at CCA, Danish Arts Foundation
2014- Kunstnernes Efterårsudstilling Patrizia Asbæk Residency Prize
2013- Residency, Guldagergaard Ceramic Center
Residency
2024, Artist in Residency, Accademia di Danimarca, Roma, Italy
2021-2022, Slam, IFÖ Center, Bromölla, Sweden
2019, Bruckner Fondation, Geneva, Switzerland
2016-18-19-21, SVFK, Danish Art Workshops
2016, CCA Andratx, Spain
2009, The Pottery Workshop, The Experimental Factory, Jingdezen, China
2008, International Ceramic Research Center, Guldagegård, Denmark
Teaching
2011- Ceramic teacher, Ceramic Workshop at Vesterbro Kulturhus, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2008-2009, Ceramic teacher, Vallekilde Højskole, Denmark.
Workshops:
A Mad Tea Party, Tbilisi National History Museum, November 2018 Tbilisi, Georgia
Affiliations
Member of the Royal Academy of Arts, Denmark
Member of BKF, Danish Visual Artists
Member of KE, The Artists Autumn Exhibition
Publications
@franklintill Viewpoint Colour - Organic Matters, 2018
ElleDeccor, 2018
Rum Magasinet, Issue nr.12, 2016 - nr.1, 2017
Rum International, issue nr.10, 2017, nr.1, 2019
Sculpting and Handbuilding, by Claire Loder, 2013
Bolig Magasinet, Issue 162, 2013
Ceramic Review, Issue 253, 2012
Ceramic Vision, 2010, www.ceramicvision.net
Ceramic Review, Issue 228, 2007
Ceramic Review, Issue 229, 2007