‘The Beginning of Everything’
4/30/2025
Artist Annick Ibsen’s definition of her artwork is complex and ever-changing. With sculptures of nudes and other figures, she identifies as a ceramicist, as she builds items from clay.
Her work also includes a dose of pottery, but she insists she isn’t a potter, as pottery making is a particular skill set. Her latest red nude sculpture titled, “Femme Objet,” translates to how “we objectify women.” She explains that it is not feminist but is a pun. She says, “Usually you don’t see a bright red nude from a ceramicist.”
Her varied sculptures are displayed in the Wallace Center, The World Food Prize Hall of Laureates and Moberg Gallery, plus dozens of other galleries, businesses and personal collections around the Midwest.
Ibsen’s latest design is creating and arranging a group of murmurations. A murmuration is a flock of birds, generally starlings, with thousands or more birds flying, usually in migration. She noticed that the swirling outlines of the birds creates artistic patterns. From that observation, Ibsen designed the shape of a bird into a plastic mold using liquid clay.
From there she can rearrange these bird-type figures into other inspired objects.
“Murmurations can be anything you want. It gives you a free sort of movement, just like the bird does. I can change patterns to fit,” Ibsen explains.
Ibsen’s work was recently accepted by the MacNider Museum in Mason City, where she will exhibit murmurations and other artwork from Aug. 1 to Oct. 1.
The exhibit is titled, “The Beginning of Everything.” The naming came after she recently started a new life chapter by pursuing her master’s of fine art at the Maharishi University. Combined with transcendental mediation, the mindfulness aspect appealed to her as she pursues her education.
She has paired one-on-one with mentors during her study.
“It helps me to push technical skills to another level. There’s a lot of chemistry involving ceramics. This unique program brings together consciousness and creativity,” she reflects.
The ceramics community in Iowa supports fellow artists.
“There’s so much love in the ceramics community,” she says. “Artists are generous with their experience.”
Ibsen was born in Paris and has lived in numerous places around the world. She initially studied finance in college. With a desire to emulate a popular artist, she took a ceramics class. The teacher taught her to first make a box, when she thought of only making an ashtray.
“I never thought ceramics could be my medium. I thought I’d be a tap dancer, a teacher or a businesswoman, but never an artist,” she reflects.
Ibsen says art is a “tricky” business for galleries, museums and artists alike. Success often includes networking and work beyond creating art.
“You can romanticize art, but there’s always a transaction,” she says.
When art lovers return for another commissioned piece, she knows people enjoy her artwork. With dozens of art pieces displayed in her home studio, she doesn’t have a favorite.
“I’m always proud of the next piece. The minute you finish, you look for something else. The biggest disappointment is if I copy myself. I feel that I’m cheating myself out of that challenge to the next piece,” she explains.
She admits to being a “late bloomer” yet feels now is the right time to do art.
“I believe there are so many acts in your life. I feel fortunate,” she reflects. “It’s a luxury to do art.” ♦
