Marlies Diels

Ceramics

Artist Statement

I have always had a fascination for clay. My love for that material lead me into a world of shape, color, and texture. The continuous light and sunshine of New Mexico have taught me to use brilliant colors in my art pieces. Every creation is unique yet functional. I like to combine beauty and function in my work and make it accessible to a broad public.

Biography
Marlies Diels was born in Berlin, Germany, where she earned her Bachelor degree in fine arts and ceramics. After graduation, she moved to the Netherlands, where she worked in and taught ceramic and sculpture and received her Master in Industrial Design at Eindhoven. During this time, the Philips Company asked her to start an evening art school for its employees, which was a great success and still operating today. She went on to specialize in functional pottery, challenging herself to merge beauty, color, and function.

Leaving the Netherlands, Marlies moved to Berkeley, California, where her husband did his doctoral research in Physics. She rented studio, where she did her own work, and taught ceramic sculpture, eventually to vison impaired students. It was a very rewarding program. In 1987 Marlies moved to Albuquerque, where she created ceramic potteries and sculptures, taught classes from her studio, and participated in many art shows. In 2025 the Albuquerque Arts Business Association honored Marlies as a Local Treasure.

mardieart@aol.com

Marlies Diels

Ceramics

BIO

Marlies Diels was born in Berlin, Germany. She received a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts and Ceramic in Berlin. She then moved to the Netherlands, where she worked in and taught Ceramic and Sculpture, eventually receiving a Masters Degree in Industrial Design in Eindhoven. She went on to specialize in functional pottery, putting before herself the challenge of merging Beauty, Color, and Function. Marlies has worked and taught in Albuquerque since 1987.

photo by Gabriella Lemas/Lemas Photography

Marlies Diels

I have always had a fascination for clay. My love for that material lead me into a world of shape, color, and texture. The continuous light and sunshine of New Mexico has taught me to use brilliant colors in my art pieces. Every creation is unique yet functional. I like to combine beauty and function in my work, and make it accessible to a broad public.