Jellie van Kranen (Vijlen, Limburg) — Dutch ceramicist and visual artist. Known for her colourful raku-fired ceramic birds, each entirely hand-shaped and glazed. Her ‘Gekke Vogels’ (Crazy Birds) are exhibited in galleries throughout the Netherlands. At Pop Art Statues you’ll find her ceramic owls and birds, every piece one of a kind.
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Be enchanted by this expressive “Musical Owl,” a unique, handmade sculpture by Dutch artist Jellie van Kranen. This cheerful bird sculpture combines playful design with musical elements: a black-and-white piano key print on the front and graceful musical staves across the body, finished in her signature crackle finish. With large, inquisitive eyes and sturdy metal…
Due to its size, this statue cannot be shipped via parcel service. Delivery/collection upon request.
Jellie van Kranen is a self-taught visual artist from Vijlen, in the rolling hills of Limburg. Her path to becoming an artist was anything but conventional. Although she wanted to attend art school from a young age, it never happened. Instead, she worked as a prison guard from 1986 to 2000, teaching art classes to inmates two days a week. During that period she experimented with acrylic paint, watercolour and pastel.
In 2000 she resigned and set off on a three-year trip around the world with her partner. In Australia she met artists who had turned their hobby into their profession. There she learned to work with clay, make ceramics and master the raku firing technique. After returning to the Netherlands in 2003, she set up her own studio in Vijlen and made art her full-time career.
The work of Jellie van Kranen is recognisable by a number of consistent features. First, the raku firing technique: each bird is fired in a raku kiln, producing the characteristic unpredictable colour effects and craquelure in the glaze. Second, the hand-applied glaze: unlike many ceramicists who dip or pour, Van Kranen applies her glaze with a brush, giving each bird its own unique colour pattern. Third, the mixed materials: the legs are made from reinforcing steel wrapped in binding wire, and the head and tail feathers consist of iron, real feathers or beads made of wood, glass and ceramic. Finally, the shaping technique: each bird starts as a ball of clay that is cut in half and kneaded into a ‘thumb pot’ in the traditional way. Like Ellen Moorman and Urmila Massaar, Van Kranen creates handmade one-of-a-kind pieces where no two works are identical. Lisa Larson shares her love of stylised animal figurines, but where Larson worked with chamotte stoneware, Van Kranen uses the unpredictable raku technique.
At Pop Art Statues you’ll find ceramic birds and owls by Jellie van Kranen. The range includes the Muzikale Uil (Musical Owl), a raku-fired ceramic sculpture, among others. Prices are around €85. Every piece is unique — due to the raku process and hand-applied glazing, no two birds are identical. The sculptures are compact enough for a windowsill or bookshelf, yet detailed enough to shine in a display cabinet.
The ceramic birds by Jellie van Kranen appeal to people who appreciate artisan, handmade art and are looking for something truly unique. They make a thoughtful gift for bird lovers, ceramics collectors and fans of raku art. A raku bird makes a fitting birthday gift for someone who appreciates artisan craftsmanship. The sculptures suit both modern and rustic interiors.
Less suitable for those seeking sleek, minimalist design objects or large-format sculptures. The raku technique produces organic, sometimes rough textures — anyone expecting a smooth, uniform finish may be disappointed. Due to the fragile nature of raku ceramics, they are also less suitable for households with young children.
Do you like Jellie van Kranen? Also check out Ellen Moorman, Urmila Massaar and Lisa Larson in our collection.
Raku ceramics are porous — do not submerge the sculpture in water. Dust with a dry cloth. The craquelure (fine cracks in the glaze) is a normal characteristic of the raku technique, not a defect. Handle with care as raku is more fragile than standard ceramics.
