Exhibitions Étoiles Solitaires
The title Étoiles Solitaires (Solitary Stars) is inspired by the idea of Gabriel Vach, head of the Ceramic and Porcelain Studio at the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. He sees his graduates as stars – artists who, after completing their studies, embark on their own paths, gradually develop their talents, and find their place in the field of contemporary ceramics.
Étoiles Solitaires / Viadukt Karlín, Prague, 2025, photo: Michal Ureš
The Étoiles Solitaires exhibition project brings together the work of graduates from the Ceramic and Porcelain Studio, whose practices span a wide range of approaches – from product design and independent production to contemporary art, experimental work, and interdisciplinary projects. While each artist works with ceramics in their own distinctive way, they all share a common foundation: their experience with the ceramic medium and their studies at the same studio.
The exhibition showcases the diversity of contemporary ceramic practice, presenting functional objects alongside author collections and conceptual works that combine traditional craftsmanship with new technologies. At the same time, the project creates a platform for graduates to reconnect and supports a new generation of ceramic artists and designers.
Étoiles Solitaires & das jüngste Blut / Ladislav Sutnar Faculty Gallery, Pilsen, 2026, photo: Václav Marian
As part of the Étoiles Solitaires project, Nalejto presented the Swallow vase collection. Lenka Záhorková also exhibited her author project Tak to bylo (That's How It Was), which connects discarded porcelain with the memories of senior citizens, exploring the relationship between objects, materials, and personal stories. Lucie Vasilová presented her project Buď a nebo (Either Or), while Markéta Kalivodová exhibited Náhodou správně (Accidentally Right), which was selected for presentation at the Křehký Mikulov festival.
The Étoiles Solitaires project was presented in several different formats:
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Viadukt Karlín, Prague – the inaugural exhibition presenting the contemporary work of graduates from the Ceramic and Porcelain Studio.
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Ladislav Sutnar Faculty Gallery, Pilsen – An expanded version of the exhibition titled Étoiles Solitaires & das jüngste Blut, which complemented the graduates’ work with a selection of bachelor’s and master’s thesis projects by current students of Sutnarka.
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Křehký Mikulov – a selection of artists and works presented as part of the collectible art design festival.
Étoiles Solitaires / Křehký Mikulov, 2026, photo: Michal Ureš