Gernot Fritzsche (born 1944) is one of the first-class contemporary ceramic artists in Thuringia. The potter, who lives in Suhl and has been self-employed since 1982, has spent decades perfecting his craftsmanship, which began in Bürgel.

Trained in the Bürgel master workshop Friedel and in Gerda Körting's workshop in Saalfeld, and then as a journeyman in Heide-Marie Fritzsche's ceramic workshop in Saalfeld, Gernot Fritzsche received the finishing touches in his master training with Walter Gebauer. The fact that he occasionally had to endure bruises when Walter Gebauer performed the force of the pincer grip makes him smile today. He would not want to miss this time or the previous detours at school and work. After all, he is a passionate potter and can be found at his own stand at many pottery markets every year. 

Gernot Fritzsche still loves making pottery products for everyday use. His ceramics stand for puristic elegance, solid craftsmanship and functionality. With the attractive brown or gray-green matte glazes, his ceramics are intended for good use, as the title of the exhibition reveals. Gernot Fritzsche is characterized as a person by modesty, wit and cheerfulness but also by his attitude. He is not only a potter and tinkerer, a professional and bon vivant, but also an excellent athlete. Gernot Fritzsche has received several prizes as part of the Walter Gebauer Ceramics Prize competition, which is held annually in Bürgel, most recently in 2022 for an ensemble consisting of a teapot and tea bowl. 

The exhibition "Gernot Fritzsche - Ceramics for Good Use" honors the work of the almost 80-year-old ceramicist and retrospectively shows the development and diversity of his skills.

We would like to thank the Cultural Foundation of the Free State of Thuringia for the financial support of the special exhibition. 

A catalog has been published for the exhibition at a price of 9 euros.