Bonnie Ntshalintshali

Bonnie Ntshalintshali, born on Ardmore Farm in the Winterton district of KwaZulu-Natal in 1967, overcame early challenges to become a renowned ceramic artist.

Afflicted by polio as a child, her physical limitations prevented her from engaging in farm labour. Recognizing her potential, Bonnie's mother sought assistance from Fée Halsted, who agreed to teach her ceramics. In 1985, Bonnie began her journey as a studio assistant to Fée, where her talents in sculpture and painting quickly emerged. Encouraged by Fée to develop her own style, Bonnie's artistic abilities flourished. Her talent was soon recognized when she received the Corobrik National Ceramic Award in 1988, followed by the joint award of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award with Fée in 1990. Bonnie further honed her skills through formal education, spending a term at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, under the tutelage of Juliet Armstrong and Ian Calder in 1990.

Her artistic prowess extended beyond ceramics when, in 1991, she produced a series of original silk-screen prints inspired by her sculptures, commissioned by Standard Bank and exhibited at the print festival in Grahamstown. Known for her intricate sculptures, Bonnie constructed her pieces using coiling or solid form building techniques, firing them at high temperatures and meticulously decorating them. Her sculptures often drew inspiration from her upbringing and education, retelling biblical tales with simplicity and honesty. A distinctive feature of her work was her narrative piling of elements, creating a vertical storytelling effect that combined Zulu tradition with western imagery.

Bonnie's talent transcended borders, with her work being featured in major collections in South Africa, Great Britain, and America. She showcased her art internationally, exhibiting at the Seville Expo in Spain in 1992, the Venice Biennale, Rome, and Amsterdam in 1993, and the South African Biennale in Johannesburg in 1995.

Her work continues to captivate audiences worldwide, residing in private collections globally. As Achille Bonito Oliva, Director of the Visual Arts Section of the 1993 Venice Biennale, noted, "Her narrative flows richly; there are still many stories to be told."