New Jersey-based artist and educator Ruth Borgenicht creates intricate ceramic sculptures that resemble chainmail, linking thousands of hand-formed stoneware rings into wall-hung and tabletop works. Inspired by a visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art's medieval exhibition nearly four decades ago, Borgenicht combines her background in mathematics with meticulous ceramic craftsmanship to produce pieces that are often kinetic, tapestry-like, or biomorphic, such as her 'Centipedes' series. She is currently preparing for an exhibition at NL=US Art in Rotterdam, opening in February 2027, which will incorporate 3D printing.
Borgenicht's work matters because it bridges the precision of mathematics with the tactile, imperfect nature of handmade ceramics, challenging traditional boundaries between craft, sculpture, and conceptual art. Her chainmail technique transforms a rigid material into flexible, movable forms, demonstrating innovation in ceramic practice. The upcoming exhibition signals a continued evolution into digital fabrication, highlighting how contemporary artists integrate new technologies with ancient craft traditions.