THE SONG OF THE SOIL

(Sbonelo Tau Luthuli pictured with his work. Pic by Copydog)

Durban ceramic artist, Sbonelo Tau Luthuli, opens The Song of the Soil, a solo exhibition of his recent work at the Durban Art Gallery on October 9.

“In my work, I use ceramic vessels (izinkamba) as a premise to challenge, question, comment on certain aspects of rules and laws that serve as guidelines when creating ceramic vessel. I use them to comment on social and personal aspects of my life,” he explains. “My vessels are designed with a variety of angular, straight and geometric patterns that make reference to amasumpa.

“I also introduce other material on the surface of the vessel such as goat hide and I consciously create the imbalance when the vessel is seated and slightly skewing the vessel giving it a tilted appearance,” he adds. “In addition to this, I break its functionality by closing its top which again challenges the notion of how traditional pots are viewed in terms of use and their function.

“My vessels are inspired by traditional domestic vessels that were previously produced for functional purposes. However, I bring in a distinct voice, a design identity, that reflects my ideologies and my thoughts. This then transforms the vessel giving it a totally unique look that is contemporary and reflective of today’s culture.

“In essence my work subverts and challenges the traditional cannons of vessel making. I achieve this by playing around with essential elements of traditional domestic vessels, such as the form of the vessel, shape, size and the inconsistence of a design on the surface of the vessel. I am mostly interested in the design the shape and the form of the vessel which gives a voice to my work.”

A series of workshops, walkabouts and events will accompany the exhibition.

Luthuli graduated in Fine Art at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in 2011. He is a regular participant in group exhibitions and showcases across the country, and had work in Earth Revelations: A Conversation in Clay in 2012 in New York. In 2013, he was awarded Highly Commended Certificate at the Ceramics Southern Africa, Regional Exhibition held at KZNSA in Durban.

In 2012 he was given a Merit Award at the Ceramics Southern Africa, Regional Exhibition held at artSPACE durban and in 2010 he was a Premier Award winner at the Ceramics Southern Africa, National Exhibition held at The Gallery at Grande Provence (Western Cape Region).

The Song of the Soil runs at the Durban Art Gallery from October 9 to November 23. The Durban Art Gallery (DAG) is open seven days a week: Monday until Saturday from 08h30 until 16h00, and Sunday from 11h00 until 16h00. Entry is free and all are welcome! For more info, contact the Gallery on 031 311 2264 / 9 or Jabu.Mngwengwe@durban.gov.za (weekdays)

(DAG is on the second floor of the Durban City Hall building, enter opposite the Playhouse in the heart of the city of Durban.)