BIENNALE OF CONTEMPORARY KERAMICS
RHODES ISLAND, SOUTH AEGEAN

WHERE THE DAY STARTS
Medieval City of Rhodes, Greece
6 June – 31 October 2026

OPENING: 5 June 2026 19:00 pm

CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS EXHIBITION
43 Artists – 43 Original Works

Design & Implementation Team
BIG BLUE DOT NPO

The Biennale of Contemporary Keramics (BCK) is delighted to announce the team of curators for its second edition, taking place on the island of Rhodes from June to October 2026 under the title “Where the Day Starts.”

Stamatia Dimitrakopoulos, Loukia Thomopoulou and Anissa Touati.
“As curators, we see the Biennale and the Island of Rhodes as a meeting point where the Mediterranean’s diverse histories, traditions and futures come together. Ceramic techniques have crossed shores for centuries, evolving through migration, trade, and dialogue. Today, artists reinterpret these age-old methods to address current questions and create new connections. We aim to highlight both the ancient bonds and contemporary narratives that shape the region, opening space for new perspectives on the Mediterranean’s future.”

The Biennale of Contemporary Keramics (BCK) will bring together contemporary artists from the Mediterranean who either live in one of the countries of the basin or have a meaningful connection to the region. Dedicated to promoting contemporary ceramics as an evolving art form, the Biennale moves nomadically across Greek islands, drawing inspiration from each location’s distinct history, archaeology, mythology, and culture.

The Choice of Rhodes

The Symbolism of Rhodes Island, Greece

According to ancient mythology, the island was named after Rhodos, the god Helios’ lover. Helios caused the island to rise from the sea so it could be the first to greet his radiant light each day. The sun’s symbolism extends far beyond local legend; throughout the Mediterranean, it stands as a powerful metaphor for connection, exchange, and the shared heritage of diverse civilizations. Its light has guided sailors, fostered trade, and illuminated the crossroads of cultures that define the region.

The biennale’s title, “Where the Day Starts” is not only a reference to the island’s mythic dawn but also a call to new beginnings; igniting artistic exploration, catalyzing dialogue, and challenging participants to reimagine the Mediterranean’s shared heritage and ever-evolving identities in the light of today.

Together, the three curators bring extensive experience across the Mediterranean.

Drawing on the concept of “Mediterraneanism,” Anissa Touati has been instrumental in shaping a new vision of the Mediterranean, redefining the identity of key institutions by forging lasting networks and collaborations across North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe.

Stamatia Dimitrakopoulou plays a pivotal role in the Mediterranean art scene, revitalizing its contemporary landscape and forging strong links between Greece and the wider art world through her leadership at Art Athina and collaborations with major international institutions.

Loukia Thomopoulou draws on her Greek heritage, developing artist residencies and ceramic programs on Greek islands that foster creative exchange within the region. Their combined expertise reflects a deep commitment to the Mediterranean’s cultural vitality and interconnectedness.

Anissa Touati

BCK 2026 Curator

Anissa Touati

BCK 2026 Curator

Stamatia Dimitrakopoulos

BCK 2026 Curator

Stamatia Dimitrakopoulos

BCK 2026 Curator

Loukia Thomopoulou

Founder & Creative Director - BCK 2026 Curator

Loukia Thomopoulou

Founder & Creative Director - BCK 2026 Curator

The jury is composed of the Biennale’s curators, together with esteemed professionals in the fields of Contemporary Art and Ceramics, including curators, art historians, and other specialists offering a broad range of perspectives and expertise to ensure a rigorous and thoughtful selection process.

Christina Anglada

Independent curator and writer

Christina Anglada

Independent curator and writer

Florian Daguet Bresson

Contemporary Ceramics Curator & Art Dealer (FR)

Florian Daguet Bresson

Contemporary Ceramics Curator & Art Dealer (FR)

Theodora Chorafas

Ceramic artist, educator, and cultural organizer (GR)

Theodora Chorafas

Ceramic artist, educator, and cultural organizer (GR)

Stefano Collicelli Cagol

General Director of Centro per l’arte contemporanea Luigi Pecci in Prato

Stefano Collicelli Cagol

General Director of Centro per l’arte contemporanea Luigi Pecci in Prato

Karina El Helou

Director Sursock Museum (LB)

Karina El Helou

Director Sursock Museum (LB)

Orhan Gorbon

CEO Gorbon Tiles, Arts Patron (TUR)

Orhan Gorbon

CEO Gorbon Tiles, Arts Patron (TUR)

Katerina Gregos

Artistic Director of EMST (National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens) (GR)

Katerina Gregos

Artistic Director of EMST (National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens) (GR)

Nikos Liaros

Archaeologist-Ceramist

Nikos Liaros

Archaeologist-Ceramist

Participating Artists

Etel Adnan

Etel Adnan

Mohamed Amer Meziane

Mohamed Amer Meziane

Myrsini Alexandridi

Myrsini Alexandridi

Darien Arikoski-Johnson

Darien Arikoski-Johnson

Elysia Athanatos

Elysia Athanatos

Leonardo Bartolini

Leonardo Bartolini

Elina Belou

Elina Belou

Emmanouil Bonis

Emmanouil Bonis

Robert Brambora

Robert Brambora

Jorge Cabieses-Valdés

Jorge Cabieses-Valdés

Chabani Meriem – Gorbon Ceramics

Chabani Meriem – Gorbon Ceramics

Chous Ceramics

Chous Ceramics

Katya Desnenko

Katya Desnenko

Mauro Fariñas

Mauro Fariñas

Malek Gnaoui

Malek Gnaoui

Kyriaki Goni

Kyriaki Goni

Luke Edward Hall

Luke Edward Hall

Dionisis Kavallieratos

Dionisis Kavallieratos

Lynn Kodeih

Lynn Kodeih

Tülay Kulbay

Tülay Kulbay

Vassiliki Kyriaki

Vassiliki Kyriaki

Anne Kwasner

Anne Kwasner

Lucile Littot

Lucile Littot

Lillian Lykiardopoulou

Lillian Lykiardopoulou

Atalanti Martinou

Atalanti Martinou

Fatima Mohisen

Fatima Mohisen

Asunción Molinos Gordo

Asunción Molinos Gordo

Kostas Neofytou

Kostas Neofytou

Ben Wolf Noam

Ben Wolf Noam

Menandros Papadopoulos

Menandros Papadopoulos

Zoë Paul

Zoë Paul

Gianmarco Porru

Gianmarco Porru

Mirsini Roumelioti

Mirsini Roumelioti

David Scanavino

David Scanavino

Terpsichore Savvala

Terpsichore Savvala

Ayla Tavares

Ayla Tavares

Natalia Triantafylli

Natalia Triantafylli

Alban Turquois

Alban Turquois

Lucille Uhlrich

Lucille Uhlrich

Elif Uras

Elif Uras

George Vavatsis

George Vavatsis

Vuslat

Vuslat

Zoe Williams

Zoe Williams

Open Call

The Biennale of Contemporary Keramics presents an exhibition that brings together invited artists, selected by the curators, alongside emerging and renewed practices identified through an international open call.

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