Exploring contemporary ceramic art in South Africa
The Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust (SOST) proudly presents the ongoing (Un)Earthed exhibition, a profound exploration of contemporary South African ceramics. Running until May 2025, this exhibition brings together a diverse group of artists whose works delve into themes of identity, heritage, and the intricate relationship between humanity and the earth.
The term ceramics might evoke for many an association with utilitarian and domestic items such as plates, vases and bowls. In recent years, however, ceramics have increasingly gained recognition as a contender in contemporary art. Indeed, clay, being highly malleable, can be shaped into the forms a potter imagines. This exhibition seeks to display such items of artistic consideration. Being the familiar material that ceramics are, which trace cultural expression around the world, this exhibition further seeks to represent a multiplicity of South African identities. Displayed in these ceramic works are elements of the traditional, socio-political, sombre, satirical, and playful.
Of all forms of visual art, ceramics are perhaps some of the most ubiquitous. Stretching over millennia and geographic expanses, clay has been exhumed and shaped into culture since the dawn of mankind. Whether it be for artistic and decorative expression, as functional objects, or as artefacts of spiritual practice, ceramic pieces signify identities. These objects, as such, become a nexus between the earth and being human; as much as man has shaped clay, ceramics have shaped the human race. Yet, whilst durable enough to carry buried messages across empires, the substance of fired clay is at once fragile. Handling, transportation, and indeed preservation of ceramic objects require intentional care. The interpretation of ceramic artefacts excavated from the past is often read in ‘cracked code’; many vessels dating from eras past exist only in part, due to their brittle composition. An analogy, perhaps, for history itself? This exhibition seeks to draw out clues about the representation of our collective South African identities, past and present - whether it be through the domestic, the sacred, or symbols of social allegiance. - Curatorial Statement
(Un)Earthed: Featured Artists
The exhibition showcases the exceptional talents of:
Madoda Fani: Known for his artisanal craftsmanship, Fani's piece, Inguqu I (Change), embodies organic shapes reminiscent of traditional African vessels, adorned with meticulous decorative indentations that mimic woven textures.
Lucinda Mudge: Her work, All is Well, references traditional ceramic forms and delftware patterns, reimagined with modern, playful narratives that speak with a tongue-in-cheek tone.
Wim Botha: Botha's untitled piece presents a faceless figure, simultaneously mended and under construction, referencing the Japanese method of kintsugi, yet utilizing colloquial materials like mieliepap, evoking thoughts of a "tomb of the forgotten politician."
Githan Coopoo: His work, Keep in Touch, challenges conventional ceramic art by incorporating annotated clay vessels that explore themes of communication and human connection.
Marijke van Velden: Van Velden's installation, Home Unmapped, utilizes found ceramic shards to create a narrative that speaks to the fragmentation and reconstruction of identity and memory.
Ben Orkin: Orkin's innovative approach to ceramics blends traditional techniques with contemporary themes, creating pieces that challenge perceptions and invite introspection.
Ceramic Matters: This collaborative duo brings a unique perspective to the exhibition, merging functional design with artistic expression to explore the boundaries of ceramic art.
Marlene Steyn: Steyn's whimsical and surreal ceramic sculptures delve into the complexities of the human psyche, weaving narratives that are both personal and universal.
(Un)Earthed: Curatorial Vision
The exhibition is curated under the insightful guidance of Marijke van Velden, Chief Curator, and Pule Dlothi, Assistant Curator.
Visit the (Un)Earthed: Exhibition
(Un)Earthed is open to the public until May 2025 at Stellenbosch Museum Voorgelegen, Dorp Street, Stellenbosch Central, South Africa and photographic installations of the ceramics have been thoughtfully installed within the streets of Stellenbosch. For more information on the exhibition sites and featured artists, please visit the official Stellenbosch Triennale website.
Join us in celebrating the rich tapestry of South African ceramics and the artists who bring these narratives to life.
Comments