Thomas Bohle
Thomas Bohle was born in 1958 in Dornbirn, Austria. In 1984, at the age of 26, while living in England, he sat at a potter’s wheel for the first time. His first contact with clay—and the experience of shaping form with his own hands—marked the beginning of his artistic journey. In 1987, he completed a formal pottery apprenticeship and further developed his skills through work in various workshops. In 1991, he opened his own studio.
A study trip to Japan was followed by exhibitions in Tokyo and Shanghai in 2004, where the artistic significance of his work gained notable recognition. Influenced by ancient Chinese and Japanese ceramics—whose simplicity, harmony and softness he deeply appreciates—Thomas Bohle also draws inspiration from nature, architecture and music. He cites Hans Coper, Lucie Rie and Pierre Bayle among his references, and acknowledges the influence of sculptors Constantin Brâncusi and Eduardo Chillida.
Whether strictly cylindrical or widely flared, his perfectly symmetrical forms are governed by pure, balanced lines. In 2006, Thomas Bohle was awarded the Bavarian State Prize. Over time, his work has gained international recognition, leading to representation in London and Brussels.
"Bohle is particularly drawn to double-walled constructions, in which the contrast between interior and exterior forms is heightened by subtle or dramatic juxtapositions of colour. The structure of his vessels is often designed to allow glazes to flow down vertical surfaces, forming rich drips along the lower edge. Open-flame firing in a reducing atmosphere at 1280°C allows oxblood and celadon glazes in particular to reveal their full depth and brilliance.
His works are rare flowers blooming in the dense landscape of contemporary artistic production. They demonstrate that the ceramic vessel remains a vital and enduring artistic medium."
—Frank Nievergelt, Collector. Excerpt from the publication accompanying Passionnément céramique – Collection Frank Nievergelt, Musée Ariana, Geneva, 2016)
Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste has represented Thomas Bohle exclusively in France since 2019.
Public and private collections
- Ariana Museum, Geneva, Switzerland
- National Museum Wales, Cardiff, UK
- GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts, Leipzig, Germany
- Die Neue Sammlung - The International Design Museum Munich, Germany
- Keramik-Museum Berlin, Germany
- Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe, Germany
- K-Hof Kammerhof Museen Gmunden, Austria
- Vorarlberg museum, Bregenz, Austria
- Frank Nievergelt Collection, Ramsen, Switzerland
Solo exhibitions at the gallery
Thomas Bohle – 2018 exhibition
Thomas Bohle – 2022 exhibition
Thomas Bohle – 2026 exhibition
Publication
Main recent exhibitions
2026
Ceramic Art London
Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste, Toucy, France
2025
Ceramic Art London
2024
« Se taire en 2024 », Eglise Johanniter de Feldkirch, Autriche
Summer Group Show, Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste, Toucy, France
Ceramic Art Space, Vienna, Austria
2023
Galerie Puls, Brussels, Belgium
2022
Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste, Toucy, France
" 25 years of the Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste », Maison du Chanoine, Treigny, France
Thomas Bohle & Ernst Gampert (wood), Studio Markus FaiBt, Hittisau, Austria
Le Secret des Couleurs, Fondation Baur, Geneva, Switzerland
2021
Glasurprobe, Galerie Handwerk, Munich, Germany
2020
« Ensemble – Together », Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste, Toucy, France
Es Grünt, Galerie Handwerk, Munich, Germany
2019
Contemporary Ceramic Center, London, UK
Keramiktage Hüffingen, Rathaus Galerie, Germany
2018
Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste, Toucy, France
Grimsel, Basel, Switzerland
Gallery Puls, Brussels, Belgium
Homo Faber, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice, Italy
2017
Galerie du Don, Le Fel, France
Ceramic Art London, Central Saint Martins , London, England
Tresor, represented by Taste Contemporary, Geneva, Switzerland
Art Geneva, represented by Taste Contemporary, Geneva, Switzerland
2016
Ariana Museum, Frank Nievergelt Collection, Geneva, Switzerland
Museum für Druckgrafik, Rankweil, Austria
Exempla Handwerk & Design, Munich, Germany
2015
Collect, Saatchi Gallery, London, represented by Sarah Myerscough
Galerie Epple, Türkheim, Germany
Sofa Chicago, via PHOS ART & DESIGN, USA
Ceramic Art London, Royal College of Art, London, England
2014
Ceramic Art London, Royal College of Art, London
Collect, Saatchi Gallery, London, represented by Sarah Myerscough
Thomas Bohle, Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste 25th anniversary exhibition, Maison du Chanoine, Treigny (89).
Thomas Bohle, Summer Group Show, Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste, 06.07.24 – 05.09.24.
