Michael Rice, Belfast 1972, is an Irish Artist, Designer, Maker and Educator who specialises in ceramics, he now lives in Dubai.
Michael has a Degree in Fine Craft Design, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Art and Design), and a Master’s Degree in Multi-Disciplinary Design, all from the University of Ulster. As an Educator he has taught in Schools, Colleges, Universities and Art centres worldwide and has undertaken artist residencies in the UK, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, UAE and Indonesia.
Michael is a member of the International Academy of Ceramics based in Geneva and as a writer has published articles in the UK based international magazine of Art and Craft ‘Ceramic Review’ the Australian publication ‘Ceramics Art and Perception’ and Ceramics Ireland magazine.
He regularly receives invitations to speak about his work and has given presentations in leading Universities and institutions worldwide including the University of Ulster in the UK, Rhode Island School of Design in the US, and New York University in Abu Dhabi.
In 2016 Michael exhibited as a finalist in the Taiwan Ceramic Biennale at the Yingge Ceramics Museum in Taipei and was the runner-up in the Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East Emergent Designer Prize in the UAE. In 2019 he was a finalist in the Korean Ceramic Biennale and in 2020 was again selected as a finalist for the Taiwan Ceramic Biennale. In 2021 he exhibited in the Ceramic Expressions exhibition as part of Singapore Art Week and was also a finalist in the KOGEI Award in Toyama, Japan.
Michael’s work was featured in the Design and Crafts Council of Irelands 2021 ‘Portfolio – Critical Selection’. He also exhibited as part of the MENASA Emirati Design Platform at Expo 2020, while simultaneously exhibiting at the Irish Expo 2020 Pavilion. In 2022 he exhibited in the Irish National Craft Gallery of Ireland, Kilkenny as part of the DCCI ‘Conjuring Form’ show.
In 2023 Michael was listed by the Geneva based Michelangelo Foundation as a Master Artisan and exhibited as a finalist in the Museo Della Ceramica di Grottaglie, in Grottaglie Italy in the 30th edition of the “Mediterraneo” competition of Contemporary Ceramic Art.
In 2024 he was selected to exhibit in ‘Secret Ceramics” at SoShiro for London Craft Week, and as a finalist in the 15th Westerwald Prize at the Keramikmuseum Westerwald, Germany. Michael is again a finalist in the 31st edition of the “Mediterraneo” competition of Contemporary Ceramic Art in Grottaglie Italy in 2024 where he received the judges Honourable Mention. He is also a finalist in the Taiwan Ceramic Biennale 2024 where he received the Judges Recommendation Award.
Michael is the Chair of the Visual Communication Department and a Professor of Studio Art in the American University in Dubai.