Schrammel, Imre (1933 - )

Ceramic artist, sculptor. He was born in Szombathely in 1933. He graduated in 1957 from the Hungarian Academy of Applied Arts (today: Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design) in porcelain as a student of Miklós Borsos. From 1958 to 2003, he taught at the Hungarian Academy of Applied Arts, and between 1993 and 1999 he served as rector of the institution. From 1959 to 1962, he was the designer-artistic adviser of the Hollóháza Porcelain Factory. In 1967, he participated in the ceramics symposium in Gmunden, Upper Austria, and in 1969 he organised the first Hungarian symposium in Siklós, which launched the Hungarian ceramics symposium movement. In the late 1960s, as a group organiser and suggestive creator, he became interested in organic abstraction, high-fired chamotte materials (fireclay or grog), and the spontaneous forming and expressive power of porcelain. His rich oeuvre reflects his numerous artistic periods and the multitude of styles, art forms, and areas he has worked in within the ceramic arts. In 1968, he became a founding member of the Prism 13 artists’ group. Since 1970, he has been a member of the International Academy of Ceramics (AIC-IAC, Geneva), serving as vice-president from 1986 to 1995. In 1980, he was a founding member of the Kecskemét Group of international ceramicists. In 1991, he became involved in the establishment of the Master’s Institute of Fine Arts at the Janus Pannonius University of Pécs (today: University of Pécs). In 1991?1992, he was a founding member of the TERRA Group. Between 1996 and 2006, he was artistic advisor to the Herend Porcelain Manufactory. In 2021, a permanent exhibition of his work opened in his hometown in the former Éva Mill, as part of the Szombathely Art Gallery. His most important professional distinctions include awards at the National Ceramics Biennial, Pécs, Hungary (1970, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1990); the International Ceramics Competition, Faenza, Italy (1971, 1974, 1984); the International Ceramics Biennial, Vallauris, France (1972); and the International Ceramics Competition, Gualdo Tadino, Italy (1987, 1988). He has also received the Mihály Munkácsy Prize (1966); the Prize of the Ministry of Culture (1977, 1979); the Bavarian State Award, Munich, Federal Republic of Germany (1983); the Kossuth Prize (1991); the Prima Primissima Award (2007); the Hungarian Order of Merit – Commander Cross (2013); and Artist of the Nation (2014). He has held several solo shows in Hungary and abroad. His works can be found in the world’s most important collections. He is a regular member of the Hungarian Academy of Art.