Beginnings and foundation
1966 can be considered the beginning of the CKI. Gertrud Rittmann-Fischer (1922-2021) who was closely connected with the material enamel, professionally and privately, and had many contacts to enamel artists, manufacturers and suppliers gathered a circle of friends, an international creative circle.
Out of this circle, Gertrud Rittmann-Fischer and her husband August founded the CKI CREATIV-KREIS-INTERNATIONAL, which was registered as a non-profit association (e.V.) in 1979 at the district court of Ludwigshafen am Rhein. The association has its domicile in Deidesheim.
According to the founding charter, the association represents artists of enamel, ceramics, glass and silk painting and promotes artistic exchange and ties of friendship among artists and art enthusiasts on an international level.
In order to strengthen the presence of the CKI in other countries as well as to establish new CKI groups, Gertud Rittmann-Fischer nominated “presidents” to lead a CKI group in many countries.
Gertrud Rittmann-Fischer was 1st chairwoman of the CKI until January 2011, until 2020 it was Mary Mulder (NL). Since October 2020 Mechthild Häusler is 1st chairwoman.
Even today, concern of the CKI is promoting (enamel) art and the ties of friedship between its artists/members.
Logo of the CKI
The logo of the CKI goes back to Gertrud Rittmann-Fischer who had a close relationship to Far Eastern enamel art.
It combines the symbol of yin and yan, the primal principle of the polarity of being, with the ginkgo leaf, the symbol of willpower to survive.
In this combination, the logo symbolizes the power of amicable, respectful bonds, across cultural boundaries, on an international level, as well as the diversity in the communion of (enamel) art, concentrated in the perfect form of the sphere. (G. Rittmann-Fischer)