The Manises International Ceramics Biennial is the evolution of what began as the Manises National Ceramics Competition in 1972. This contest, organised by the City Council of Manises with the support of the Gallego Vilar family, quickly became the most prominent contemporary ceramics competition in Spain. Its importance is perceived in the way it has evolved since then, becoming a global event.
Changes in relevance can be divided into two stages. The first started in 1993, when it became the European Ceramics Biennial, expanding its scope and establishing connections with other European countries. The second stage took place in 2001, when it was internationalized and transformed into the International Ceramics Biennial. With this, the aspiration to increase its projection and promote Manises as a world-renowned ceramics city was achieved.
For more than forty years, this competition has been an important means of rediscovering ceramics as a material with new artistic possibilities and has contributed to the diffusion of a unique form of visual expression that had a limited space in contemporary art. In addition, it has helped to revitalize the local industry, which was looking for innovation, and has managed to connect the centuries-old tradition of Manises ceramics with contemporary artistic expression internationally.
In addition, this competition has allowed the Museum of Ceramics of Manises to accumulate a valuable collection of contemporary ceramics, since the works awarded in different editions become the property of the City Council of Manises and are incorporated into the museum for conservation and exhibition.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE LEGAL BASES FOR THE XVI INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL OF CERAMICS OF MANISES – 2024
