KOOS BUSTER
Koos Buster (1991) has been responsible for a ceramics renaissance in the Netherlands over the past few years. In 2022 he self-appointeded himself as Minister of Ceramic Affairs at Gallery Vriend van Bavink, presenting the exhibition "The Ministry of Ceramic Affairs". In his work, Koos Buster often honors and conserves everyday objects by freezing them in ceramics. With his unmistakable artistic lines in ceramics, Koos Buster turns the ordinary into something joyful and precious, and in doing so, he celebrates the object.
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About
Artworks
CV
Koos Buster - exhibition view SOlO
About
Koos Buster (b. 1991) graduated from the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam in 2018 with a series of self-made ‘Delft Blue’ ceramic plates, featuring illustrations of "things I don’t really like." From that moment, Koos became part of a small renaissance in ceramic arts, calling himself the "Minister of Ceramic Affairs" and playing a significant role in the growing popularity of the medium.
During his time at the academy, Koos experienced the traumatic loss of someone close to him. In clay, he found a therapeutic outlet. As a counterbalance to his sadness, he chose to create only things that made him smile and brought him happiness. When people feel down, they often find comfort in small things—a memory, a gesture, or an object. Koos discovered that by taking everyday objects often overlooked, reproducing them in his unique style, and placing them on a pedestal, he could bring joy to both himself and those around him.
Whether the subject is a humble water tank, a camera, a cleaning cart, a spray cleaner, a book, a slush puppy, or a fire extinguisher, Koos Buster elevates it to an iconic and artistic level. His distinctive, colorful style highlights the importance of happy imperfections.
What Koos Buster appreciates about ceramics is its versatility. Ceramics are both precious and historically rich. He loves the fragile nature of the material: it is durable and will last indefinitely if left untouched, but it can break easily—something that serves as a metaphor for many aspects of life.
Koos Buster’s work has been included in various collections, and he has participated in numerous museum exhibitions, including a solo presentation at Museum MORE in 2024.
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Artworks
Button for world peace, ceramics, approx 5 x 7 x 2 cm , open edition
Curriculum Vitae
Koos Buster (1991)
Education
2013-2018
Fine Arts and Design, Ceramic Department, Gerrit Rietveld Academie
Exhibitions
2024
‘Breekbaar’ - Group show at CODA
‘To each their own’ - Group show at Museum Arnhem
‘Het had ook anders kunnen zijn’ - Solo exhibition at Museum More Kasteel Ruurlo
‘Uit armoede’- Group show at Stedelijk Museum Schiedam
‘Pioniers in Keramiek’- Groupshow at Museum Princenhof Delft
Art Rotterdam with Gallery Vriend van Bavink
2023
Unseen, Gallery Vriend van Bavink, Amsterdam
Koos Buster - solo exhibition, Gallery Vriend van Bavink, Amsterdam
Art Rotterdam with Gallery Vriend van Bavink, Amsterdam
2022
The Ministry of Ceramic Affairs, Gallery Vriend van Bavink, Amsterdam
2020
Room on the Roof, Koos Buster , Amsterdam
Unfair, Amsterdam, NL
Palm Spring Museum , Los Angeles, USA
Supermarket Art Fair, Stockholm, SE
Collaboration with CHT Fransen
2019-2020
De Wachtkamer van Roos Bustek , National Glass Museum, Leerdam
2019-2020
Gewoon Bijzonder, Galerie 38cc, Paul Tetar van Elven Museum , Delft
2019
BaxBuster , Art Platform De Apotheek , Amsterdam
2018
SBK sprouts young talents, Visual Arts Foundation, Amsterdam
50 years Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam
Fons Welters Gallery, Amsterdam
Cleaner Cleaners , Beelden Aan Zee, The Hague
Graduation Show, Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam
Art Loot, Pop up gallery Zeedijk, Amsterdam
2016
Cleaning, Club Sandwich, Amsterdam
Bloemen – van verre, Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem
Rietveld Uncut Brakke Grond, Amsterdam
Commissioned work
2019
Birdhouses, Feeders and other ceramic solutions for Thijs de Zeeuw
2018
Exchange trophies, Museum night Amsterdam
Berlage Fund, commissioned by Ben Zeegers
Nose brackets, commissioned by Lisa Schamble
2017
Thesis Illustrations, Lois Richard
Ceramic Revolver, part of Graduation work by Lois Richard, KABK