This clay sculpture takes the form of two hands—an intimate exploration of gesture, femininity, and transformation. Crafted from marbled stoneware and coated with a soft blue engobe, the piece features delicate floral motifs on the tips of the nails. At its center, a small vessel-like opening allows for the placement of flowers, inviting interaction and quiet ritual.

Drawing from the cultural symbolism of hands and the decorative language of nail art, Riess reflects on the performative power of beauty, the vulnerability of be(com)ing a woman, and the quiet strength found in acts of care. Both sculptural and functional, the work can be used as a flower holder or simply appreciated as a tender presence.

Anna Riess is a multidisciplinary artist and cultural anthropologist based in Vienna. Her work explores themes of embodiment, emotion, and interbodily relations through materials like clay, metal, and textiles. Deeply influenced by her experience of motherhood, she transforms everyday objects into symbolic forms - one of her gestures she describes as the “nippelization of the everyday.”

Riess is the co-founder of the Claygroundretreat and the creator of Circle of Clay, a workshop series she has led at institutions such as the Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna or the Hotel Kai36 in Graz. Her workshops invite participants—regardless of prior experience—to develop their own sculptural language through hands-on engagement with clay.

Her sculptural objects possess a strong visual identity and tactile presence, marked by a recognizable aesthetic and a willingness to push the boundaries of material behavior. Especially drawn to the tactility of clay, Riess explores how movement and fluidity can be captured in form—leaving the trace of the hand visible in its hardened state. With a strong interest in local materials and interdisciplinary exchange, her practice bridges artistic, social, and ecological concerns in both conceptual and applied ways.