Museum of Art & Photography (MAP), Bengaluru now has its latest installation, Memory Vessels by internationally acclaimed Dutch artist Bouke de Vries.
Through the installation, de Vries challenges traditional notions of restoration, embracing imperfection to create sculptures that redefine beauty. Each ‘Memory Vessel’ encapsulates shattered ceramics within a glass vase, presenting the fractured forms not as something to be concealed, but as something to be revered.
“This opportunity allowed me to work on a scale that hadn’t been possible before. I have always been fascinated by discarded objects—those that have been broken, deemed useless, or forgotten. In my practice, I view broken objects the way we might view scars—markers of history, experience, and survival. A shattered plate, a cracked vase—these are not simply damaged items; they are objects that have lived through something. Rather than seeing them as incomplete, I see them as having evolved into something new. By placing these broken fragments within glass vases, I transform them into vessels of memory. The glass acts as both a container and a stage. In doing so, I hope to encourage a shift in perception: What if, instead of mourning what was lost, we embraced what remains?”
It has been incredible to witness how people connect with these works on a personal level. “Whether through viral social media discussions, tattoos, or the emotional responses I’ve seen from viewers, these pieces seem to reflect something deeply human. Ultimately, I hope this installation encourages audiences to reflect on their own experiences of loss, change, and renewal—and to find strength in the fractures that shape us,” says de Vires.
Read the full story that first appeared in The New Indian Express dated 18th Jan 2026 here:
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