Ardmore Ceramics @ The Joze Show 09

Ardmore is a world-renowned ceramic studio based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to my delight they are bringing several pieces of their work to the Joze Show.

After spotting these works in a Ceramic Review Josie Waldie set out to locate them for the exhibition this year. Josie didn’t have to go all the way to the Ardmore studios in the foothills of the Drakensberg or to the rolling hills of Caversham in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands of South Africa. No, luckily Josie was able to catch an Ardmore opening at the African Embassy in London to meet the organisers and see the ceramcs in the flesh there.



Many of the Ardmore artists have little knowledge of sculpture and painting and mostly no experience of ceramic art, but they learn quickly and within a short time develop their own particular styles of sculpting and painting. 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.

I think some of the most interesting pieces form the Ardmore collective are about Aids and the pandemic that creates a constant strain on Ardmore’s potters. As a reaction to this devastating disease the group has made some special Aids awareness pieces one of which is picture above, Three Best Ways made by Elias Lulanga painted by Andrew Sokhela.

Below, is another plate; Days of our Lives showing powerful painting and prose by one of Ardmore’s most collectable artists, Wonderboy “Thokozolo” Nxumalo, plate made by Elias Lulanga

I have no idea yet which pieces are going to be on show in September or who will be there form this group to represent the collection.

I will feature another potter tomorrow from the Joze Show line up.