(“Sea Vessel” - earthenware
by Karuni Naidoo)
The annual exhibition of Ceramics of KwaZulu-Natal, Meeting Clay, recently opened at the
KZNSA Gallery. This is the third annual Ceramics Southern Africa KZN regional
showcase exhibition to be hosted at the gallery.
“Artists find their voices in whatever medium they work in
and here we have artists who find their voices in clay,” says well-known artist
Anthea Martin. “Clay, a material straight out of the earth, which comes in the
same wet state for everyone- presents many challenges and stages that we must
learn and appreciate. After years of experience with this material, artists are
able to hone their skills to manipulate clay in many ways. This amazingly
versatile material, at times kind and at others punishing, continues to thrill
and challenge artists. This is a bumper exhibition with lots to see and buy at
affordable prices. A good place to buy gifts for special occasions or even for
Christmas.”
Are we pushing the boundaries, or content with ceramics as
functional or purely decorative objects? Some of the work on this exhibition
shows that thought and creative practice has advanced to other levels. Notably the work of Karuni Naidoo, Jane
Jarvis, Kyle Pierpoint, Carina van Heerden and Lynette Morris-Hale.
Exhibitions like this give the student of ceramics, a way of
measuring themselves against the benchmark of those artists who have achieved
excellence, keeping the tradition of ceramics alive in our community. The work
on show is expressive, decorative, ritualistic and functional.
There will be a walkabout of the exhibition on August 8 at 11h00.
Meeting Clay runs
at the KZNSA Gallery until August 16. The
KZNSA Gallery is situated at 166 Bulwer
Road, Glenwood, in Durban. More information on 031 277 1703, fax
031 201 8051 or cell 082 220 0368 or visit www.kznsagallery.co.za
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