craftsmanship
anne black’s work in vietnam began in 2005 as part of a development project supported by danida — an organisation under denmark’s ministry of foreign affairs. the aim was to identify and strengthen craft-based skills, and to build long-term capability that sustains ceramic craftsmanship as a living profession.
from the outset, the collaboration focused on preserving hand throwing as a working method — the same methodology anne applies in her copenhagen studio. porcelain is handmade in small series, with quality defined by the person who makes the object, repetition, patience and material understanding, rather than speed or volume.
a living craft tradition
the workshop anne collaborates with carries a ceramic tradition spanning eight generations. at its centre is mrs hang, representing the ninth generation in her family working with ceramics. her knowledge embodies both technical skill and the responsibility of carrying a living craft tradition forward within her family.
anne’s role within the collaboration has been to protect and strengthen shared methods — through training, refinement of form, and the development of a collective capability to realise her designs. over time, this has created a long-term collaboration — now more than 20 years of continuity — not as replication, but as a living practice able to evolve without losing its integrity.
sustainable development in practice
danida’s involvement placed the collaboration within a framework of sustainable development. the project emphasised working conditions, skill development and long-term employment. between 2005 and 2011, the collaboration focused on investing in people rather than machinery, and in craftsmanship rather than scale.
supported by danida