(Beautifully crafted wood pieces can be seen on the Rolling Exhibition. Pic by Estelle Sinkins)Special exhibition aims to put homegrown arts and crafts back on the Midlands Meander. (Article by Estelle Sinkins, Courtesy of The Witness)
Several of the founder members of the Midlands Meander have joined forces to stage a special exhibition which aims to put homegrown arts and crafts back at the heart of the Midlands tourism trail.
The Rolling Exhibition, which is being hosted by the Midlands Crafters’ Guild from June 13 to 28, will take place at seven venues, starting up in the Fort Nottingham/Nottingham Road area with Shuttleworth Weaving.
Helen and Andy Shuttleworth, their son, Robert, and a skilled team of crafters produce carpets, throws, shawls and clothing at the venue on the Fort Nottingham Road. Their weavings, many of which have unique designs, are sold nationally and exported to clients in New York and London. During the exhibition, visitors will be able to see Shuttleworth Weaving’s own wares, as well as paintings by Bronwen Findlay, bronze sculptures by Bruce McClunan, silver and gold jewellery by masters student, Sean Leipoldt, and wood, metal and grass sculptures by Takawira Debe. The Wine Cellar will also be present offering visitors the chance to taste its new range of midlands wines.
Helen Shuttleworth said the idea of holding exhibitions wasn’t new: “We used to do it long ago when we first started the meander. We would have exhibitions twice a year at Easter and Christmas. It is taking us back to what the Meander was all about in the beginning … back to the roots of the Meander, which was good crafts, and getting people to come to the artists and crafters’ studios to see what they do and how they do it.”
The next stop is Ardmore Ceramic Art at Caversham. Established by Fee Halsted-Berning 20 years ago, Ardmore provides artists with the opportunity to work in an environment that encourages the expression of their imagination based on nature, Zulu folklore and tradition. The result is an incredible rich tapestry of art that blends African artistic talent with western ceramic technology. On show will be works by Victor Shabalala, Somandla Ntshalintshali, Obed Mthandeni, Punch Shabalala, Roux Gwala, Siyabonga Mabaso, Jabu Nene, Virginia Xaba, Petrus Gumbi, and Wiseman Ndlovu.
Ceramics can also be found at Hillfold Pottery at Lidgetton, where renowned ceramist, Lindsay Scott, produces his high-temperature, oil-fired stoneware and porcelain, alongside Albert Ntombela’s range of terracotta planters. During the exhibition visitors will also be able to see beautiful wall hangings created by fabric artist, Leonie Malherbe. “I was one of the original artists and crafters who started the Meander in 1983/84 and I’m keen to see the area focusing on arts and crafts again,” Scott said. “We need to let people know we’re here and that we are still able to sell directly from the Meander. I hope we can hold the exhibitions annually again or even more often.”
The Dargle Valley is playing host to three of the exhibition members - Dargle Valley Pottery, The Woodturner and Corrie Lyn & Co.
At its furthest end is master potter, Ian Glenny, who established Dargle Valley Pottery in 1976 and was one of the original founder members of the Midland Meander. His use of nearby clays and raw materials gives his work an original and robust character – and all his decorative and functional ware in porcelain, stoneware and terracotta, and his distinctive ceramic fireplaces, are showcased in a massive gallery, designed and built by Glenny from salvaged materials.
Heading back towards Howick, you find the entrance to The Woodturner, where master craftsmen, John and Andrew Early create interesting, contemporary furniture and beautiful bowls made from salvaged wood – mostly from exotic species like jacaranda, pinoak, blackwood and Indian mahogany. In the rare instances when they do use indigenous woods, the trees have usually been felled out of necessity or are casualties of storm damage. Each bowl is turned from wet wood, left to dry for up to four years and then re-turned, sanded and waxed or oiled. These pieces will continue to dry throughout their lifetime in a dynamic process which makes them living artwork. Andrew Early believes the exhibition is crucial for the artists and crafters on the Meander. “It was started because of crafts and crafts need to be back as the main thing on the Meander. That’s why most people come,” he added. “It will be exciting to get back to the way it was in the old days.”
Fellow woodworker, Robin Fowler of Corrie Lyn & Co, is on the Petrusstroom Road, where a 100-year-old barn serves as a showroom for furniture which ranges from classic to contemporary and encompasses beds, tables, chairs and even kitchen island units. “The business was started in 1996,” he said, “I began making furniture for myself in a garage on the family farm. Then my family started asking me to make things for them and the rest is, as they say, history.”
Fowler uses exotic woods from trees which have fallen or been felled, and recycled wood from old buildings, like Oregon pine and yellowwood. He is assisted by Raymond Zakwe, Petros Dladla and Siyabonga Duma, all of whom will have work on show during the exhibition. Also showing work at Corrie Lyn are Mick Haig, who creates functional ceramics, Andre Watson, who paints wildlife in oils, wirework from Siyabonga Duma, linen by Lore Nel and cards by Mandy Crookes. Fowler’s wife, Tinks, believes having the exhibition is a good idea because the Meander now has very few people who make their own stuff. “We’re the exception now rather than the rule. But people want to come out to the Meander area and see handmade stuff and the people who make it,” she added.
For details on the Rolling Exhibition and the many artists involved, contact 033 330 8195.
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