Ceramics and Pottery Arts and Resources

Ardmore platter with four zebras

 

 

Ardmore twin handled jar with lid

 

 

  

A beautifully  intrinsic  balance of rich colours characterize the ceramic pottery of Ardmore.

 

The vibrant ceramics of Ardmore, ranging from functional domestic ware to sculptural art in the highly decorative African tradition, offer a fine insight into the subtle influences of rural potters at work in the Champagne Valley of KwaZulu Natal. These artists combine the elements of their tribal tradition with the unique  perspective of a new world. Although the nerve centre of Ardmore has moved to Lavendula in the Natal Midlands, the majority of the artists continue to work on the Ardmore farm near their family homes in the Champagne Valley.

The History Of Ardmore  :    The story of Ardmore began in 1985 when Fèe Halsted lived on the farm Ardmore, in the Champagne Valley under the shadow of the Drakensberg Mountains. Her passions for ceramic art had been honed during her five years at the University of Natal when she had studied fine art and then completed a two year advanced diploma in ceramics.

It was on the Ardmore farm – by ingenuity, by thrift and by chance – that Fèe developed the style that has made Ardmore ceramics famous. “I used to make tiles,” she remembers, “when one cracked, I’d stick a rabbit or bird on the top to hide it.” Then Fèe decided she needed an assistant. This was when luck played it’s part. Janet Ntshalintshali who worked in the house brought her 18 year old daughter, Bonnie, to meet Fèe.

Bonnie who had polio as a child could hardly walk, but showed a natural aptitude for ceramic art. Her ability with colour, design and texture and her diligence was everything Fèe could have desired in a student. Within five years, in 1990 Fèe and Bonnie had jointly won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award and their work was being shown in galleries internationally.

When Ardmore first opened the doors of its ceramic studio, the ceramics were produced mainly by women. Gradually, however, their male partners realized that they, too, could work with clay under the scenic backdrop of the Champagne and Cathkin mountain peaks of the Drakensberg range located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. These men have transformed Ardmore’s conservative functional earthenware into a more sculptural and courageous art form.

Their patience and extraordinary ability to pay attention to detail gives rise to artwork of tremendous charm and beauty. The creative talent of the artists, their learned skills and their desire to succeed, have resulted in their earning a special status amongst their friends and families and becoming known as the `Isigiwili’, which describes their abundant good fortune.

The women, in turn, have responded to the new creative energy that has flowed into Ardmore and, of their own accord, have modified their style of painting. Their fine feathering, scaling and bead- and basket-like patterns now enhance the form. Ardmore has evolved into a true unique sculptural art.

 

All the rhythm, colour, humor and spontaneity of the Zulu artists are on display here for their imaginative ceramic artwork.

 

Galleries and retailers here 

Hoopoe Tureen –  Sculptor; Somandla Ntshalintshali, Painter; Goodness Mpinga

 

 

Chamelion Tea pot –  Ceramic sculptor; Somandla Ntshalintshali Painter; Winnie Nene

 

 

Bird Vase – Sculptor; Lovemore/ Sondelani Ntshalintshali.  Painter; Winnie Nene

 

 

Monkey Jug – Sculptor- Sabelo/ Sfiso Mvelase  Painter; Goodness Mpinga

 

 

 

 Zebra Rhino Platter – Sculptor; Alex Sibanda. Painter; Octavia Buthelezi

 

 

Goat basketing ceramic vessel  – Sculptor; Octavia Mazibuko Painter; Goodness Mpinga

 

 

 

Leopard Bird Bowl – Sculptor; Somandla Ntshalintshali Painter; Rosemary Mazibuko

 

 

 

Hippo Vase Sculptor; Lovemore/ Alex Sibanda Painter; Jabu Nene

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In the beginning  at Ardmore no traditional techniques were used. Their work broke from the ceramic conventions of the time, fired terracotta clay was painted with plaka paints, boot polish and oven blackeners. Glues and putty were also used. Later American Amaco paints and transparent glazes brought an exuberant use of colour and the intricacy of painting style to the ceramics they were making.

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Leopard Jug – Sculptor; Lovemore/ Sondelani Ntshalintshali Painter; Milo Dlamini

 

 

 

Elephant Tea Pot – Sculptor; Lovemore/ Sondelani Ntshalintshali Painter; Nondumiso Mfuphi

 

 

Guineafowl Salt & Pepper Shakers -Sculptor; Betty Ndaba Painter; Zinhle Nene

 

 

 

Elephant Jug – Sculptor; Sabelo/ Sondy Ntshalintshali Painter; Senzo Duma

 

 

 

 

Cheetah Platter  – Sculptor; Thabo Mbhele Painter; Senzo Duma

 

 

 

Hoopoe Tureen – Sculptor; Octavia Mazibuko Painter; Rosemary Mzibuko

 

 

 

Giraffe Tureen – Sculptor; Sabelo Khoza Painter; Sharon Tlou

 

 

Hoopoe bird on logs

 

 

Monkey tureen – Ardmore, South Africa

 

 

Bird Egg Cup Sculptor; Lebohang Molefe Painter; Winnie Nene

 

 

Porcupine Sweet dish –  Sculptor: Victor Shabalala Painter: Zinhle Nene

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Some of the Ardmore artists:

 

 

 

Ardmore artists

 

Updated –

 Ardmore Giraffe Vase

Painter – Sharon Tlou & Sculptors -Sondelani Ntshalintshali, Sabelo Khoza

 

 

 

Butterfly vase – Ardmore, ZA

Sculptor – Somandla Aaron Ntshalintshali & Painter-Sthabiso Hadebe

 

 

 

Traditional basket shape ceramic vessel with lid – Ardmore

 

 

 

Ardmore giraffe platter

 

 

 Ardmore jug

 

Some ceramic pieces currently available :

 Ardmore Buck Jug

 

 

 

Hippo Riders – Ardmore

 

 

 Red rhino rider – Ardmore, London

 

 

 

Zebra butter dish – Ardmore

 

 

 

Ardmore Sable Jug

 

Galleries and retailers here 

 

More Ardmore Ceramics here 

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