Art Formes | Clay Formes : Dedicated to Contemporary South African Clay

Art Formes is deligted to be presinting this compelling retrospective on South African clay. The show will feature an impressive selection of new works by leading artists, Siyabonga Fani, Jublile Nala and Hennie Meyer.

Dedicated to spotlighting the rich and diverse nature of ceramic and clay art in South Africa, Art Formes aims to draw attention to this vibrant yet historically underrepresented filed. The curated selection for our exhibition highlights the innovative approaches and unique persepctives of three of the country's leading artists in this medium.

Siyabonga Fani born in Cape Town, 1981 is an artist whoes works represent a nuanced and unheard South African narrative. His are the vessels that are imgined in contradistinction; they are co-created. Through both his pit-firing technique and hand pulling distortion, the works heavily recall the dry rivers of the Eastern Cape, honouring his pastoral background and vibrant Xhosa heritage. It is in this same impulse, however, that the vessels are fused with the bustle, hum and dialects of the township of the artist's upbringing: the skin that bears the texture of gelatinous heat, the mirage in the dust.

Jabulile Nala's works are a quietly pioneering force within the long legacy of Zulu ceramic tradtion. Her mother, Nesta Nala, was the first Zulu woman whoes izinamba reached the gallery space as she infused the cosomologically rooted vessel with personalised motifs and subtle formal restructuring. Jabulile continues her mother's work, fusing both ancient tradition with innovative personal stylisation, marking her work as a unique facet of the South African artistic repertoire.

Self-described 'compulsive clay worker' , Hennie Meyer has exhibited prolifically around the world and is one of the South Africa's most experimental ceramic artists. His signature style exceeds allegiances to form; a careerlong commitment to experimentation gives rise to a body of work adept at shape-shifting. In ware eartherware and the artist's own milk glazes, each from is exactly 400g. This is thr defining paramter - beyond it, the scope extends anywhere.

This show runs from 22 - 26 May 2024 .