Gauteng Region
NE WS Volume 22 June 2020
Cover image: Unearthed By Sandra Goercke Affiliate South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA)
Letter from our Chair • John’s Column Amalie von Maltitz • The Harties Potters Potter of the week • Tips • Challenges Join CSA • The CSA Committee
Reduced Membership Rates Page 17
Letter from our Chair To all our Gauteng members,
I
hope that you have all managed to keep safe during this difficult time.
In the current climate of uncertainty and anxiety, remember that we are blessed to have the ability to plan with our hearts and minds that which we desire to create with our hands. As we try to keep our human interactions and socializing to the minimum, I encourage you to keep working at your creativity. Use the extra time that you may have to self study and inspire yourselves by watching educational videos and reading about your craft. Once you start browsing the internet I guarantee that you will come away with hands itching to create with clay again.
By way of introducing my valued committee to you, I will be sharing their biographies and images of their work in this and the next newsletter. In this issue we feature Monica van den Berg, Claire Waters, Daniel Brand , Lisa Zeffertt, Cornelia Wessels and John Shirley. I am thrilled to share with you the news of the imminent launch of the National Online Gallery which we are working on. Please read more about this in John’s column. Wishing you all good health whilst focusing on the meditative therapy of working with your hands.
Gaby
Opinions expressed are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Ceramics SA.
W
e are certainly living in challenging times. What is interesting though is with all the negativity surrounding us there is also much positivity, with people adapting to new ways of functioning in their day to day lives.
Connection, something that we have taken for granted, is needed more than ever these days. With social distancing firmly in place we are learning alternate ways of connecting through platforms such as Zoom and social media. There are many excellent offerings on You Tube such as lessons, tutorials, discussions, and entertainment. It is well worth taking some time to browse through and discovering some real gems.
John’s Column
Although we are in level 3 of the lockdown and more businesses have opened, there are still many that are choosing to stay home to help contain the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, all face-to-face events at Ceramics Southern Africa have been postponed for the foreseeable future. This includes this year’s National Biennale and our smaller Potter of the Month exhibitions partnered with the Association of Arts in Pretoria as well as the Ceramic markets in both Johannesburg and Pretoria. So it’s time for some good news! One thing that is growing exponentially right now is online selling. We have been looking at an online sales platform for our members for some time, and at last this is becoming a reality. You have already had communication about this and more will follow soon. This is one of the most exciting additions to the opportunities we offer our members and I hope you will take advantage of it. This platform will be available to all members and we hope it will make a great addition to our selling options. Look out for more information about our online offering and in the meantime stay warm as winter approaches and above all, stay safe.
STUDIO SPOTLIGHT By Monica van den Berg Gauteng CSA Committee Member
Amalie von Maltitz “In 2007 I spoke to Annelie Dempsey, the curator at the University of Johannesburg, asking her advice on someone who can teach sculpture. Her immediate answer was, Amalie von Maltitz. And so our journey started�. Amalie started teaching sculpture at the Stalhuis Studio in 2004 and has been teaching modelling of the essential material, clay, in her studio ever since. Over the years, a close-knit group has evolved within the studio with students working through initial exercises and then being encouraged to develop and explore their own creative language. This has proven to be a valuable and rewarding experience, where both teacher and student benefit from the exchange of ideas and knowledge, developing
growth in sculptural quality by exploring the myriad possibilities offered by the essential material of clay.
>>
STUDIO SPOTLIGHT
A m a l i e v o n M a lt i t z Amalie is a highly dynamic person who has, in her own right, left her mark on the South African art world. Amalie was encouraged by South African sculptor, Edoardo Villa, to concentrate on a vertical format, and she has since crafted several series of tall “column” sculptures. Columns of clay might sound impossible, but not to Amalie. Over the years she has developed a method of constructing her clay sculptures of more than a meter high with varied themes finding their realisation within the vertical structures. Earlier drawings of trees, photographs of rock outcrops, vague structures floating in a semi-asleep state, all contribute to visual possibilities explored in her work. As one of Amalie’s students, when working on a piece of your own, Amalie’s words will always come to mind such as: “A form comes from within”, or, “never just draw a line or make a scratch as part of the surface, it must have a meaning and contribute towards the form and the piece”. After more than 10 years of being part of Amalie’s teaching and thriving studio, I still admire her for her ability to create form and never give up on all her students and their creativity.
T I L L E N D M AY
BY POPULAR DEMAND
EXHIBITION EXTENDED
Harties Potters Profile By Lisa Zeffertt Gauteng CSA Committee Member
Harties Potters is a group of 14 potters living in the Hartbeespoort area, just North West of Johannesburg. Forming the group in 2014 stemmed from a desire to collaborate and share insights with fellow artists. We began by getting to know each other, visiting each other’s workshops, and discussing our individual works. This soon evolved into workshops with each artist taking a turn to teach and sharing their skillsets. Each workshop involved a delicious slap-up meal, contributed to, and enjoyed by all. Eventually, in 2016, we graduated to a group exhibition in Hartbeespoort. Followed by two further successful group exhibitions in 2017 and 2018, kindly hosted by Dr and Mrs at their shop in Juta Street, Braamfontein. We also try to exhibit at the CSA exhibitions and the markets in Pretoria and Johannesburg every year. We constantly set ourselves new challenges and projects, and have continued to grow and evolve as a group. Here is an insight into some of our members:
Helen Espag Helen studied ceramic design and received her National Diploma at the Vaal Triangle Technicon in Vanderbijlpark in 1995. This is her 25th year of doing ceramics. At one point she had her own teaching studio before selling up and moving to the Brits area. Although Helen works mostly in earthenware, she likes to experiment with a variety of clays and glazes including paper clay, Raku, and Egyptian paste, spending hours tweaking and improving her recipes. Helen has presented a workshop to the group about Egyptian paste jewellery, described as “absolutely fascinating”. # >>
Harties Potters Profile
Margaret Hugo Margaret, a retired occupational therapist, is a ceramic artist who uses clay in a variety of ways. From making items for daily use to using clay as an expressive medium for drawings and sculptural pieces, she is often inspired by nature’s forms, patterns, and weird and wonderful creatures. Living in the Magaliesburg Mountains, with a studio to die for, she also finds inspiration from her surroundings and the soil. This leads to regular experimentation with interesting clay mixes, and colour combinations developed by mixing oxides into clay and glazes. Furthermore, her love of calm meditative work shines through in her black and white drawings which include lines and scraffito on plates and vessels. Margaret is a people person who loves working with others and finds motivation through the group’s discussions and sharing of ideas. #
Robert Combrinck Robert started working in ceramics part-time in 1979. He received the Highly Commended Award for his first-time entry to the APSA N-TVL regional exhibition in 1981. Thereafter, he exhibited work at several regional and national exhibitions of APSA (now CSA). Unfortunately, due to work responsibilities and other constraints, Robert did not create any ceramic work between 1987 and 2017. However, he has since started up again! Robert likes to prepare his own clay bodies and glazes which he hand-works into the decorative slab and coil-built pieces which he fires to stoneware temperatures in an electric kiln achieving a reduction effect. Robert is inspired by the colours and textures of rocks and bark. He is, by nature, inquisitive and this leads to constant experimentation and exploration of new materials to add to clay, extending the ceramic boundaries regarding shape and texture. He also makes trimming tools and brushes, which he presented to the group in a wonderful workshop. # >>
Harties Potters Profile
Al i d a K i n g h o r n Alida worked for an electrical consultant for most of her life after completing her studies. Although she has had no formal training other than attending a three-month painting class, she has been drawn to art in the form of painting or sketching her whole life. However, Alida is happiest working in her studio with her hands covered in clay. Her pottery journey began as a hobby. Through attending pottery classes, she was exposed to many facets of pottery and ceramics. Over time she built up enough equipment to set up her own studio, and started to focus more on ceramics and decorating it. She makes mainly functional household pieces and spends hours decorating them, mainly with animal themes. Her inspiration comes from a variety of sources such as nature and people, but is strongly influenced by her frame of mind at the time of making the piece.
We constantly set ourselves new challenges and projects, and have continued to grow and evolve as a group
‚‚ Helen Espag’s latest challenge to Harties Potters Group p15
Kate Malone
Z o o m L e c t u r e - a N e w W ay o f D o i n g “Moving, Running , Flowing by Kate Malone�
ZONE
A Digital event held online via Zoom: May 28, 2020 18:00 PM GMT This was a special lecture given for free to the ceramic community worldwide and drew a crowd of 500 ceramists attending virtually.
Kate Malone was our award judge for our previous Corobrik National Ceramics Biennale in 2018. I finally figured out how to login using my Mac and the Zoom application with the given login info. After a few minutes the host allowed me in and I was greeted by a cacophony of voices and faces until order was established. Eventually all were muted and the lecture started. It was amazing to be part of a real time meeting of 500 ceramists from all over the world. Please click on the image to view the lecture which was also given in Bangalore India. Reviewed by Daniel Brand Gauteng CSA Committee Member https://youtu.be/GmSXuNdzlvA
Corlie Schoeman March 2019
A look back at 2019
POTTER OF THE
MONTH
By Daniel Brand Gauteng CSA Committee Member
Corlie’s work is inspired by the textures and patterns found in crochet, lace, and other textiles. By pressing these fabrics into slabs of clay she creates beautifully textured, functional ceramic pieces such as bowls, plates, and platters ideal for entertaining. #
Daniel Brand April 2019 Daniel’s work explores the beauty of nature in the abstract form introducing pattern and colour with clay as his canvas. He also explores the delicate possibilities that porcelain offers the ceramic artist using mostly the Nerikomi technique. >>
A look back at 2019 POTTER OF THE MONTH
Alex
Philabani May 2019 Alex works with earthenware clay, decorated with water-based underglazes covered with a transparent glaze, creating pieces within the three themes of Divine, Flora and Butterfly. #
Lauren Jarvis June 2019 Lauren, originally a graphic designer working in the music industry, was first introduced to clay at the Bryanston Studio. Lauren draws inspiration from flowers which she hand-paints onto her pieces with meticulous detail. >>
A look back at 2019 POTTER OF THE MONTH
Sharon Erichsen July 2019 Sharon’s work is influenced by her surroundings. Balancing the soft and hard qualities of porcelain, she explores themes of habitat and the interaction of form and self with the environment, portrayed primarily through form and the creation of shadows. >>
A look back at 2019 POTTER OF THE MONTH
Jean Beckley August 2019
Jean’s work is created on the wheel, using mostly porcelain clay, and occasionally earthenware clay. Inspired by classical Greecian and ancient oriental shapes, her work focuses on the exploration of form, rather than the creation of highly decorative pieces. #
Sandy Godwin November 2019 Sandy’s work is a celebration of femininity infused with her memories and the traces of lace from her childhood. She elevates the character of clay by visually embroidering a decorative dance across each perfect piece.
future POTTERs OF THE MONTH
Gari Louridas
Ashton& Martin
Nicola Smith
14 Day Potting C h a ll e n g e
An Invitation to the Harties Potters to join in this Challenge starting Saturday 13 June 2020. The Challenge ends 26 June 2020. Requirements: 1. You need to throw something on the wheel every day during the Challenge, 2. Stick to the daily themes/given projects. 3. As you progress you must share photos of your projects on the Harties group. For others who join in the challenge document and share your progress with others. Wheel Projects: Handbuild Projects: Day 1: Honey/Jam pot and lid
Spoon
Day 2: N esting bowls (any amount) Nesting bowls pinched (any amount) Day 3: Teapot
Slab build large bowl
Day 4: Teacups (saucers optional)
Constructing teapot lid knob
Day 5: Sphere
One/more Hands‌
Day 6: Porridge/Pudding bowls
Square slab pot (any size)
Day 7: Open theme
Open theme
Day 8: Thin neck bottle
Coil build Round belly vase
Day 9: Tall Cylinder
Garden pot
Day 10: Large Platter
Sculpture piece
Day 11: Smaller Platter (dinner plate size)
Another Sculpture piece
Day 12: Fruit bowl (for carving)
Fruit bowl (coiling)
Day 13: Round Belly vase
Slab build Bottle
Day 14: Open theme
Open theme
@ meet the makers
Held on November 23rd & 24th 2019
Gauteng Region
Gauteng Region
New Membership Rates
Single:
R650
Family:
R900
Pensioner (Over 65): R550 Country:
R570
Tertiary Institutions: R1000 Students at T.I.:
R100
ceramicssa.org As announced at the Annual General meeting in February 2020, we are bringing all membership renewals in line to 1st March each year. CSA Gauteng are waiving any overdue payments from last year and members may rejoin as from 1st March at the new rates announced at the AGM in February.
GAUTENG MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE – 2020 Gaby Snyman Chairperson John Shirley Vice Chairperson Gill Clark Secretary Janet Scott Treasurer Peter Jaff Corobrik Collection Monica Workshop van den Berg Coordinator Claire Waters DTP Cornelia Potter of the Wessels Month Lalage Hunter Logistics and Outreach Daniel Brand Newsletter Articles Corlie Pretoria Schoeman Representative Eylene Clifford Social Media Ashton Bullock Newsletter Editor Lisa Zeffertt Harties Representative
gsnyman01@gmail.com johnshir@gmail.com
083 307 5082 083 407 5968
ceramicssa@icon.co.za 074 782 2640 csouthernafrica1@gmail.com 083 254 7815 jaffam@icon.co.za 082 923 7098 monica@bergkriek.co.za
083 680 9963
claire@3whitedogs.co.za corneliaw100@gmail.com
082 535 6680 082 821 5419
lalage.hunter@gmail.com
084 645 2222
radahgo@icloud.com
083 413 6613
corlie.cleilap@gmail.com
083 559 0814
eyleneclifford@gmail.com ashtonbullock@gmail.com
083 268 2926 084 321 0476
lisazeffertt@gmail.com
082 469 4323
>>
INTRODU C ING . . .
our Gauteng Committee John Shirley Although I am not particularly good at remembering dates I clearly remember when I first started pottery classes. It was in 1970, so that means this is the 50th year of my involvement with ceramics in one form or another. Over the years, besides making, I have been in the retail of ceramic supplies as well as the retailing of ceramics, the development of clays and glazes as well as teaching in both the formal and the informal sectors and being instrumental in the founding of this association, known at the time as Association of Potters of Southern Africa, later to become Ceramics Southern Africa. There have been so many high points for me, which include being accepted as a member of the International Academy of Ceramics, presenting workshops at La Meridiana in Tuscany, an absolute privilege and delight, attending workshops with both Sasha Wardell and Angela Mellor in England, and having won a diploma of honour in the 5th World Ceramic Biennale in Korea. From the outset, in my own work, I have always been fascinated by translucency in ceramics and the work I have been busy with for almost 20 years is Bone China. A medium that is as challenging as it is exciting and in the pursuit of excellence, I find the journey to be more important than the destination. #
Cornelia Wessels I fell in love with clay ever since I discovered how to turn mud into magic. As I am already in the business of mud, designing gardens, pottery felt like the perfect extension. I have been experimenting with the endless possibilities of this craft for almost 10 years and I am still enthralled. I co-ordinate the Potter of the Month exhibitions for CSA Gauteng at the Association of Arts in Pretoria. # >>
INTRODU C ING . . . our Gauteng Committee
M o n i c a Va n D e n B e r g The current work contains the thought of creating different styles of heads as the artist experiences the world around her. Although the work does not reflect the realistic form of a head she tries to stylise the work in such a way that it still reveals part of the realistic form. She is a full time sculptor with her own studio. Her work has been accepted in the Ceramics SA exhibitions since 2010. She received a Merit Award at the Ceramics SA National Exhibition in 2010 as well as Ceramics Gauteng Regional Exhibition 2014. She also received the Ultra Furn Award at Ceramics Gauteng Regional Exhibition. #
C l a i r e Wat e r s I have no formal training and ran my own graphic design business for 20 years and now work fulltime as an artist from my own studio space with Twilsharp Studios in Bertrams, Johannesburg. Mentorship and workshop programs with John Shirley and CSA have supplemented my ceramic knowledge. My work is hand built. I also paint and draw. I have exhibited on Regional and National exhibitions organized by Ceramics South Africa, as well as various group art and ceramic exhibitions. I love connecting with our ceramic community’s creative mind pool and help out with desk top publishing and general assistance. # >>
INTRODU C ING . . . our Gauteng Committee
Lisa Zeffertt DaniËl Brand My introduction to clay started as a young boy making figurines on the floor of my mothers’ Potters Studio. She has been a big inspiration to me in the field of clay as well as life in general. I renewed my acquaintance with clay three years ago and fell in love all over again. This time round I got inspired by the infinite possibilities and complexities that the Japanese art of Nerikomi brings to the potters table. My introduction to clay started as a young boy making figurines on the floor of my mothers’ Potters Studio. She has been a big inspiration to me in the field of clay as well as life in general. I renewed my acquaintance with clay three years ago and fell in love all over again. This time round I got inspired by the infinite possibilities and complexities that the Japanese art of Nerikomi brings to the potters table. #
I am a potter working from my home studio in Broederstroom, in the Hartbeespoort area and am one of the founding members of the Harties Potter group. I started my pottery journey as a hobby many years ago but it has since evolved into a full time passion. I experiment with all sorts of techniques, clays and finishes but my heart always returns to handwork with a combination of glaze and oxide or raku finishes. Recently, I have been focusing again on improving my wheel skills, with the hope to incorporate it into my handwork. My pottery is always transforming and enjoy the evolving exploration of it. I have participated in a number of exhibitions, including some CSA exhibitions. #
Useful Tips, Tools, & Techniques for the Ceramic Studio 1. Use a small kitchen sieve to stir your glazes. It collects any lumps that have formed in the glaze bucket. John Shirley
2. If your clay has hardened in the bag, completely submerge the sealed bag in water for a day or two until it reaches the right consistency for wedging. The plastic does not seal completely, water penetrates evenly through micropores. Don’t forget it there, it can get soggy! Cornelia Wessels
Interesting Stuff Interesting Stuff
Sandy Brown is the invited award judge for our next National Biennale and here is a link to a wonderful interview recorded last year on the ‘Power of Making with an Empty Mind’ https://youtu.be/2SOeDbucBtA Another video well worth watching is of admired British ceramicist, designer and artist, Janice Tchalenko, (1942 – 2018), who bridged the gap between art and large-scale production. Here is a beautiful tribute to her and insight into the way she approached her work https://vimeo.com/393034061 Peter Ward, the founder of Online Ceramics, has had a life long interest in studio pottery. https://onlineceramics.com
Share your interesting online discoveries email links to: claire@3whitedogs.co.za