Education History

1988 Matriculated (Kearsney College, Natal)

1989 Fine Arts, Durban Technikon

1992 Graduated with National Diploma in Ceramic Design (Technikon Witwatersrand)
Majored in Art of Drawing, Ceramic Science, Ceramic Sculpture, History of Ceramics & Studio Ceramics.

Work Experience

1993 - 1996 I served a two-year apprenticeship with well-known ceramicist Kim Sacks and taught in her studio for two years before setting up my own studio. I was taught to throw in the Scandinavian tradition, using fine bodies to make paper-thin porcelain and stoneware. Towards the end of my apprenticeship I built a gas-fired kiln and began experimenting in high-fired reduction stoneware. My work and direction were strongly influenced by David Schlapobersky, Felicity Potter and Chris Green during this time.

The Ceramics Society of Woodmead School asked me to work with them on a low-tech kiln-building project. We built an updraft bottle kiln using recycled materials.

In 1996 I was commissioned to build a 90 cubic foot oil-fired kiln for production potter Barry Douglas.

1996-2000 I moved to McGregor in the Western Cape with the aim of making high-temperature, wood-fired pots. Presently, I engage in all the pottery mediums, making high-fired, translucent porcelain, earthenware, functional stoneware and Raku wares. I sell mainly from my studio, Mill Stone Pottery, in McGregor, and also from, amongst others, LIM, Peter Visser Gallery and The Potter’s Barn, all in Cape Town.

In 1999 I built a two-chambered, cross-draught, wood-fired kiln at the back of my studio. The kiln has 120 cubic foot packing space, and I fire for about 24 hours. In future I aim to make greater use of the wood-fire effects of live flame action on the pots, pushing the limits and firing for up to 72 hours. This kiln has enabled me to produce a wider range of pots and to make larger pieces.

Exhibitions and Commissions:

1991 Technikon Witwatersrand Student Ceramic Exhibition
1992 Association of Potters of South Africa (APSA) Transvaal Regional Exhibition
1993 APSA Transvaal “Clay Spectrum” Exhibition
APSA S.Tvl “Gillian Bickel Potteries Award for Wheelwork”, 1993 Regional Exhibition.
“Pot Art” Exhibition, Ferndale Nursery, Johannesburg
Kim Sacks Ceramic Studio Student Exhibition
Commission for Stephen Falke Interiors
1994 APSA Transvaal “Clay Spectrum” Exhibition
Kim Sacks Ceramic Studio Student Exhibition
1995 “Made by Hand in Black and White” Exhibition at Kim Sacks Ceramic Studio
Commission for Bloomsbury Shop, Hyde Park
“The Art of Tea” Exhibition at Kim Sacks Ceramic Studio
1996 Solo Exhibition at Billy Moon Antiques, Johannesburg
Potters Exhibition at the Jean Welz Gallery, Worcester
1998 APSA Western Cape “Masks” Exhibition, Nico Malan, Cape Town
“Pro Arte” Exhibition, Robertson Food and Wine Festival
1999 APSA National Exhibition, Nico Malan, Cape Town
“Joyful and Triumphant” Exhibition, Nico Malan, Cape Town
2000 “Contemporary White Ceramics” Exhibition, Bellville Arts Association

Collections

Gauteng Provincial Legislature Collection.
GeneralCologne Re.