Volume 18 • Issue: Oct 2016
Gauteng Region
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Letter from the Editor • John’s column • Introducing... • Sasha Wardell • Toni’s Porcelain Sculpture • W A T E R • Decorating with Rhoda and Madeleine • Potter of the month • 2016/17 Calendar • New members • Gauteng Committee •
Affiliate South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA)
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Editorial
eramics and Ceramics SA are in the spotlight for the next 5 to 8 weeks and every member has the opportunity to be involved in some way.
The Corobrik Collection exhibition opens at the Pretoria Art Museum on Sunday 23 October at 11 a.m. This is a once in a decade chance to view the entire collection, which covers a wide range of ceramics and documents the historical development of the best work, from the early days of the small potteries, which operated from the 1940s, to the individual studio ceramists who are taking part in our exhibitions today. All the artists who have work in the Collection have been invited to attend the opening. Join them and learn more about this unique collection of ceramics. The following week, Saturday 29 October, is the Potters Market at the Association of Arts, Pretoria. All members are invited to take a table and set out their work for sale to the visitors who come to spend some time browsing and admiring the wide variety of ceramics on offer. On Sunday 6 November the G & W Sculpture Exhibition opens, also at the Association of Arts in Pretoria. This is being curated for CSA by Gordon Froud and will feature ceramic sculptures by some of the country’s best sculptors, as well as wall plates by CSA members and other artists. November 9 sees the opening of the Corobrik National Ceramics Biennale at the University of Johannesburg. This exhibition has been two years in the planning and is the most prestigious showcase of ceramic art In South Africa. Congratulations to all the members whose work was selected. The standard of entries was extremely high and those whose work was not selected should not be discouraged as every piece that was reviewed received serious consideration and only missed out by a very small margin. The selection process, which was devised by John Shirley, is in line with that for international competitions, and was highly effective, requiring many hours of image viewing individually by the selectors and then a day long session of further viewing and discussion as a group. Internationally recognised ceramist, Sasha Wardell, who is the award judge for the Biennale, will present a workshop on November 12. Make sure you book your place for this. The year’s activities conclude with a CSA exhibition titled “Eat, Drink and be Merry” at the Association of Arts gallery in Pretoria, opening on Sunday December 4. Details of all these events can be found in this newsletter. We hope to see all the Gauteng members at as many of these as possible. Keep those kilns firing.
Jerice
Opinions expressed are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Ceramics SA.
John’s Column W
ell before we know it November will be here and November is ceramics month with much to offer the ceramic makers, collectors and enthusiasts. As Jerice outlined in her editorial there are a number of exhibitions that CSA is hosting for us all to savour, with the Corobrik National Biennale as one of the major events on the ceramic calendar. I cannot urge you strongly enough to make the most of this time to see really excellent ceramics in a number of venues to view, inspire, and encourage. Alongside these exhibitions there are a number of shows to see at private venues. We have recently seen a group show ‘Water’ in Braamfontein, which Colleen has reviewed in this issue. Monica van den Berg has a show of her wonderfully painted ceramic sculptures at Alice Art Gallery in Roodepoort. ‘Indigo and White’ will be on show at Kim Sacks Gallery during November. The gallery @ The Pottery Studio is also hosting an exhibition, ‘Sip’ showing work of the students and staff at the studio. Besides the exhibitions already mentioned I strongly recommend you book for Sasha Wardell’s workshop. I was fortunate enough to attend her 5 day workshop at her studio a few years ago and consider it one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had and cannot wait to attend her workshop here. All in all a really wonderful time for us all to indulge, so I hope you make the most of it and join the celebration!
IN T R O D U CIN G . . .
Lalage Hunter
T
hough I never officially studied art (an abiding regret), apart from a stimulating six month spell at the Johannesburg Art Foundation, I have lived a lifetime, honing my artistic expression in a number of self-taught media.  Beauty in form and pattern have long been a passion of mine, and my early childhood spent in my birth country, Lesotho, embedded the backdrop of organic structure, geological shapes, the African light, and the earth colour pallet that now speak through my choices of clays and glazes. After my day job as a grain merchant and mothering my children, I pored through beautiful books, and experimented in various materials and styles of craft, until I discovered the medium that allowed me to truly express that passion; Clay. However, I was frustrated in my desire to create, by the belief that I could not draw. It was in my darkest hour that this notion was shattered. Newly divorced, I sat watching TV on a Saturday afternoon when a William Kentridge feature came on. In the interview, he said something along the lines of, ‘I share with the rest of humanity, the ability to see when something looks wrong.’ Accordingly, his eraser was as important a tool as his pencil. Freed from the pressure of putting the line down correctly, I was able to find the line through trial and error. Working with clay gave me the same freedom to allow my forms to evolve. My ceramic forms seek to integrate curves and straight lines, and organic and architectural aesthetics. I aim for beauty and balance from all angles. I try to convey a sense
I was frustrated in my desire to create, by the belief that I could not draw. It was in my darkest hour that this notion was shattered. ...
of floating and movement, and shape created by the fall and contrast of light and shadow. In 2015, no one was more surprised than I, when I was awarded a prize at the Regional Ceramics Exhibition. The acknowledgement and prize, encouraged me to persevere in my ceramics journey and provided the opportunity for me to be mentored by some of South Africa’s most celebrated potters, whose support and interest are invaluable. My current series has taught me the value of collaborating with other artists and studios and having my pieces slip cast has released me to explore glazing options and create new work. I am based in Newtown at the Carfax Workstation where I am invigorated by the environment of ambitious creatives working around me.
My current series has taught me the value of collaborating with other artists and studios
Sasha Wardell
S
asha Wardell has been working in bone china since 1982 after completing both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in ceramics in the UK. These included industrial training periods at L’Ecole Nationale des Arts Decoratifs in Limoges and the design studio at the Royal Doulton factory, Stoke on Trent. Both experiences have strongly influenced the way in which she presently works resulting in a fascination and intrigue for methods and material which present a challenge. It is for this reason that bone china, with all its idiosyncrasies, has remained her favourite material. It is very ‘single-minded’ clay which forces clarity and precision whilst demanding perseverance. Possessing qualities of intense whiteness, translucency and strength, make it a very seductive material to work with. Architectural detail and sections of structure, combined with an interest in illusions provide the starting point for the pieces whilst the inherent qualities of the clay do the rest - its whiteness offers a pure blank canvas for the application of colour and its translucency enhances any varying degrees of luminosity.
www.sashawardell.com
Bookings are open Sasha Wardell Workshop in Gauteng Date:
Saturday 12th November 2016
Time:
9am to 3pm
Venue: The Pottery Studio. 24 Old Kilcullen Rd, Bryanston. (Colleen Lehmkuhl’s studio) Cost:
Members R350 / Non members R450
Contact: Cynthia – 074 703 4399 – email: ceramicssa@icon.co.za Please note that all workshop bookings are payable in advance. Thank you. BRING OWN LUNCH -TEA/COFFEE WILL BE AVAILABLE This is a demonstrating workshop so no need to bring any pottery tools etc. Come along and be inspired!
nty a s i s Thiortunbi e oppnot toed... miss
Porcelain Sculpture workshop with Toni Pretorius By Kim Millar
What an awesome opportunity it was to attend this hands-on workshop by Toni Pretorius at The Pottery Studio in Bryanston. It was all about taking a 2D image and sculpting it into a 3D piece in porcelain. After a quick introduction we proceeded to push (never pull), paddle and work a small piece of porcelain into a simple form of the image we had selected – no detail we were told, but some of us could not resist! While waiting for our little pieces to dry, we learnt about the properties of porcelain. Some of the pros and cons and how these could be used to our advantage. The workshop followed a structured process. We discovered what should and should not be done at the different drying stages. Most of us were so absorbed in the process that Toni insisted we go make tea
so that the porcelain had a chance to dry. We were encouraged to closely observe the image and translate what we saw into marks in the porcelain. We learnt how to carve, shave, smooth, fix mistakes and fill holes that had mistakably been pushed through these delicate pieces. Not only were we taught new skills, but this Bloemfontein girl gave new meaning to these two words: “Spit and spuzzel� (instant glue used when adding a piece of porcelain and the tiny little bits of clay that need to be brushed off when carving) respectively. While participants created beautiful birds, beetles and chameleons during this three and a half hour workshop, we left with much more than a 3D piece. We left with knowledge and hands-on experience of how porcelain responds in the hands and tools that work it.
Review by Colleen Lehmkuhl Photographs by Dr Philemon Mahuma
It is so refreshing when ceramists take the initiative to organise their own exhibitions. It’s a great idea to set a theme, as this group did, so that the work has cohesiveness. Each participant worked in their own preferred forming technique including throwing, casting, coiling and hand formed sculptural pieces. Lisa drew inspiration from the severe drought in Gauteng and her beautifully coiled forms were reminiscent of water containers, joined together with thick rope for carrying. So many African women have the daily burden of finding and carrying large quantities of water for their family’s daily use. The vessels underwent multiple firings, including smoke firing, and were decorated using glaze and oxides, resulting in a very powerful statement.
Jona at the top; middle: Jannie, Margaret, Lisa, Ria; bottom: Kathy, Claire, Nolene
Jannie had some exceptional conceptual pieces that he had formed by pressing his clay into rocks and sand on the mountain above his home in Hartebeespoort. The weathered clay reacted unexpectedly in the smoke fire and revealed interesting surfaces which were further enhanced by their tactile quality and excellent method of display. An interesting collaboration was presented by Kathy and Margaret. Kathy runs a busy ceramic factory and together they
created an interesting installation of bottle forms glazed in varying amounts of blues and white. They appeared to me to be containers running out of water, or filling up with water. Margaret also made a beautiful hand formed vase with fish modelled on the surface of the vessel. The integration of colour and surface produced a beautifully resolved work. Noeline had some interesting conceptual pieces using mixed media. Jona is a recent graduate from TUKS and his thrown pieces were aptly named ‘Waves’. They were glazed in ombre style using blues, cream and white. Claire wowed me with her exceptional flat vessel forms. The surfaces had to be seen to be appreciated – they were created using laser transfer
techniques and explored the Water theme. The form, colour and text came together to make for absolutely gorgeous vessels. Ria interprets water as the animals and creatures that live in the sea, as well as the coral that surrounds them. Her delicate porcelain vessels were up to her usual high standard and rounded off this exhibition beautifully. I commend these artists for taking the initiative to organise this exhibition. The artist’s walkabout gave interesting background to each artist’s inspiration as well as their working methods. I was proud to hear our CSA members speak so eloquently and passionately about their work. Well done to you all!
The participating Harties Ceramists wish to thank Margaret Hugo for her time organising and co-ordinating the exhibition.The opportunity given by DOKTER AND MISSES to utilise their high profile Braamfontein showroom CO-OP, their hospitality and design proficiency in setting up and layout of the exhibition is much appreciated.
Decorating with Rhoda & Madelaine Henning By Madelaine Henning
1. Varnish resist
The varnish resist technique creates a mosaic-type decoration. For this technique you will need a greenware ceramic piece and wood varnish. You can use greenware in leather-hard or bone-dry stage. 1. Draw your pattern onto your piece with a pencil. Breaking the pattern into multiple tile-like sections will create a lovely effect. 2. Fill in the pattern with wood varnish using a paintbrush. 3. Let the varnish dry until nothing comes away when you touch it. 4. Start removing the clay around the varnished areas by wiping it with a moist sponge until the varnished areas stand out.
The varnish burns away with bisquefiring. You can further decorate the piece with underglazes, oxides or glazes. Paint different shades of glazes onto the raised pattern to create a soft-edged mosaic effect.
A big thank you to Rhoda and Madelaine for the enjoyable and interesting workshop in their beautiful studio. Their demonstrations were inspiring and I look forward to trying some new techniques in my studio.
Summer is here and with it enough colours and shapes to inspire us all!
To celebrate the season we held a ceramics decorating workshop at Rhoda Henning’s pottery studio. Here are 3 of the decoration techniques taught:
2. Bubble effect
The bubble effect creates an interesting freeform pattern. For this you will need a bone-dry greenware piece, a straw, underglaze and dishwashing soap.
1. Mix 20ml underglaze with 70ml water in a tall tub. 2. Add a squirt of dishwashing soap. 3. Wrap a small towel around the tub to catch drops of underglaze. 4. Angle the tub over your piece and blow into the mixture with a straw. Trail the tub to create the pattern you want.
continued overleaf ...
You were both so organised, professional, friendly and informative. We were all inspired by your enthusiasm and passion for decorating.
3. Painting techniques with underglaze There are so many ways to use underglazes on your ceramics! Rhoda demonstrated a few using bone-dry greenware plates and underglazes specially made in the studio.
Here are a few tips and techniques for painting with underglazes: 1. To get a light and even background, thin a bit of light underglaze with water. Paint it onto your plate using a large soft-bristle paintbrush and a banding wheel. Paint your pattern over this with slightly darked underglazes. 2. For a dark and even background, paint your complete pattern onto your plate first. Colour in the dark background using a small brush to minimize the brush stroke effect and make the background more even. 3. Thin your underglaze with water for a watercolour painting effect. Dip your paintbrush in a coloured underglaze and then dip the tip in white to get a striking two-toned effect. We also covered the decoration techniques of underglaze inlays, engraving on underglaze and making tiled plates.
Potters Market L Sat 29 October AST Rem e
mber
Assoc. of Arts Nieuw Muckleneuk Pretoria
We hope to have a large turnout
All CSA Gauteng members are invited to take part in the market.
The cost is R200 per table. Any extensions or add-ons (no bigger than a table) to the normal trestle table are free if the event is held outdoors. Bring your own cloths, umbrella, chairs, cash box etc.
!!
TO BONOITY YOUR T K OPPORT U
DON’T DELAY !
ABLE.
A credit card facility will be available at one of the stalls. For planning purposes please let us know if you would like to participate.
WEATHER FORECAST PLANNING In view of the fact that we will not be able to move the market into the Gallery as the Assoc. of Arts will be hosting a current exhibition, artists who have booked tables are requested to contact Jerice between 05:00 & 06:00 on 012 460 6516 or 082 683 5680 should it look as if it will be raining in Pretoria in the morning or to determine whether it is already doing so, to establish whether it will be necessary to cancel the event. This pertains especially to stand holders who need to travel long distances.
Cynthia tel: 074 703 4399 • email: ceramicssa@icon.co.za
Association of Arts Pretoria Sat 29 October • 9 am – 3 pm
2016 POTTER OF THE MONTH
W Niki Brockwell
Bob Wagener
Gina Forsmans
by Cornelia Wessels
ith lots of excitement, a potter was introduced to the public every first Sunday of the Month as part of the Pretoria Art Route. The Association of Arts in Pretoria hosted this monthly exhibition and the program was so successful they have asked that it continues into 2017. Belinda Leontsinis The potters this year exhibited outstanding works. Nici Brockwell started off with her delicate beautifully painted porcelain; followed by Belinda Leontsinis with quirky painted bowls. Bob Wagener made stunning eastern inspired food ware. Sandra Goercke was inspired by archaeological sites and made ancient looking bowls Sandra Goercke and Gina Forssman’s lovely porcelain bowls were inviting a fresh salad. The versatile works of Roger Evans concluded this year’s exhibitions. Many thanks to Pieter van Heerden, Nandi Hilliard and their team at the gallery for the opportunity and stunning displays every month. We look forward to the Potter of the Month exhibitions in 2017.
Roger Evans
The Pretoria Meander: http://www.artsassociationpta.co.za/Pretoria%20Art%20Meander%20booklet.pdf
This is an event not to be missed. Make a booking in your dairy and visit: 173 Mackie Str, Pretoria at: 10:30 for 11:00 every first Sunday For more information contact the gallery at 012 346 3100.
diary 2016 COLLECTION EXHIBITION 23rd October – December 25th 2016 Opening: Sunday 23rd October, 11:00 Henry Preiss Hall - Pretoria Art Museum
oct
Potters Market
Sat 29 October
COROBRIK NATIONAL CERAMICS BIENNALE 9th November – 25 November 2016
Nov
Opening: W ednesday 9th November, 18:00 UJ Art Gallery Kingsway campus
Ceramic Sculpture exhibition
Ass of Arts Pretoria opens on Sunday 6th November
Nov
Eat, Drink And Be Merry
Opening: Sunday 4th December 2016 Ass. of Arts Pretoria, 173 Mackie Str, Nieuw Muckleneuk
diary 2017 y Februar M CSA A G
M ar ch C la y F es tiv al
Regio Exhib nal ition
Eat, Drink And Be Merry
REM
IND
Themed exhibition
Opening: Sunday 4th December 2016 Venue: Association of Arts Pretoria, 173 Mackie Str, Nieuw Muckleneuk Members are asked to exhibit items that can be used for the Festive feasts of the Christmas season – platters, bowls, dishes, drinking vessels, jugs, teapots etc. – anything for the table. Prices should be kept reasonable – under R1000 • Entry fee: R200 : Commission 33 1/3%. Unsold work may be collected after 2 pm on December 15th or between 9 am and 11 am on December 17th. Alternatively the work may remain in the Gallery until early January 2017 when it reopens for the year.
Enquiries: Jerice Doeg: jerice@informsa.co.za. • Closes Dec 15
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Gauteng Region
PLEASE NOTE:
Technological advances have resulted in membership cards becoming redundant. This, together with the current day postal situation where there is a great deal of speculation about the effective distribution and delivery of post, has led to a decision by the National Council to discontinue the exercise with immediate effect. The resultant cost saving will be allocated to other promotional initiatives.
Since graduating from art hasNorth featured P school, O Box she 2900 Riding prominently at R.S.A. exhibitions, both 2162 Gauteng as exhibitor curator. She Tel.: 074 703and 4399 has already featured Fax to email: 086 664 0958 prominently as finalist and ceramicssa@icon.co.za prize-winner at Sasol's new www.ceramicssa.org signatures art competition, the Thami Mnyele fine art competition and ceramics SA's regional exhibition in 2012. Her first solo exhibition, titled Samsara... the journey of the Ross Hoffman, soul is scheduled for the first Joy Margolis, quarter of 2013 as part of her M Tech degree in and fine art. Rina Myburgh
WELCOME to our NEW MEMBERS:
Corlia Pretorius.
Gauteng Management Team Name Duties Tel. No. Colleen Lehmkuhl Regional Chair/ 011 463 7262 Meeting Notes John Shirley Vice Chair/ 011 640 4982 Exhibitions Kay Adendorff Treasurer Janet Scott Ashleigh Christelis Marketing Nicholas Koursaris Social Media Nici Brockwell Gillian Clark
General Assist Workshops
Dineke den Bakker Vaal Triangle Liaison Michelle Legg Clay Festival/ Exhibitions Jerice Doeg Exhibitions/ Meeting Notes Darien Harrison Catering Bob Wagener Clay Festival/ Exhibitions Karen van der Riet Potters’ Market Minette Zaaiman General Assist
011 702 4600 011 706 7289 016 932 2173
012 460 6516
Mobile e-mail 073 481 0889 colleen@potterystudio.co.za 083 407 5968 johnshir@gmail.com 082 686 4332 083 254 7815 082 452 7783 ashhogan1@icloud.com 082 502 1479 nicholaskoursaris@gmail. com 083 257 7330 nicibceramic@gmail.com 074 782 2640 gillian@lamariceramics. co.za 082 715 1639 dineke.denbakker@lantic. net 083 730 0250 michellejanelegg@gmail. com 082 683 5680 jerice@informsa.co.za
012 667 1207 082 463 8653 dunkelly@mweb.co.za 082 850 8520 email wag@iafrica.com 012 660 2341 082 655 2121 karenvanderriet@gmail.com 012 460 5823 073 255 2482
All Management Team members, apart from their specific portfolios, can be co opted to special large projects on the current calendar
NEWS DTP: Claire Waters
Manufacturers and suppliers of a wide range of stoneware and earthenware clays for throwing, slab building and casting in buff, terracotta and white.
Telephone 082 808-9166 / 082 885-1103 Email: ndebelemining@gmail.com work and images supplied by Digby Hoets
+27 11 482-2215 1 Annet Road Cottesloe Johannesburg email: liebpott@iafrica.com www.liebermannpottery.com
An exciting array of Southern African potters and ceramic artists, both rural and urban, including˚Lisa Liebermann, are showcased at Liebermann Gallery. The Gallery is located in the historic Gas Works, close to the trendy Melville shopping area. Liebermann Pottery in Johannesburg has an extensive range of traditional handmade cottage tableware, dinnerware and ceramic picture tiles, brilliantlycoloured˚contemporary garden˚planters˚and vases, with their distinctive Liebermann ambience. For the Bonsai enthusiast, the Liebermann Gallery has the largest selection of planters on the continent. Our Cape Town gallery is situated on an old Cape farm, on Kommetjie Main Road, near Kommetjie on the Cape Peninsula.˚
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