​Contemporary South African Art

1952:Born Johannesburg, South Africa

 

Clementina van der Walt is a well-known South African studio potter, based in Cape Town, who has in the past three decades lectured, run a production studio and held many one-person shows. Her work is represented in several South African national collections. She has participated in major shows abroad including four consecutive years at Ceramic Art London.

 

“My intention is to ‘seek the sacred in the ordinary’.

 

In the 21st century, we are aggressively being catapulted into this cyber age of information overload. So making contemplative and utilitarian objects by hand, may appear anachronistic and at odds with the spirit of the times. However, the ceramic discipline, with cultural and historical links to rituals of everyday life, encompasses society, religion and philosophy. Like music and poetry, it expresses a world of complexity and awe, with the capacity to touch the soul. The archetypal significance of the home, as a point where our spiritual and earthy lives interconnect is where I have attempted to explore these ideas.

 

My aesthetic inspiration is drawn from the patterns, colours and textures in the urban African and rural landscapes.

 

Applying techniques of press moulding, casting and throwing I use earthenware clays, slips and underglazes.”

 

Curriculum Vitae

Website:www.clementina.co.za

Blog:www.clementinaceramics.blogspot.com

 

Academic Qualifications

1969:Matriculated Parktown Convent, Johannesburg

1975:B.A. History of Art, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

1977:National Diploma (Ceramics) Technikon Witwatersrand, now University of    

        Johannesburg

1983:National Higher Diploma (Ceramics) Technikon Witwatersrand, now University

         of Johannesburg

 

International Invitational Exhibitions

1992:International Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramic Art, National Museum of

         History, Republic of China

1994:South African Craft Market at Grand Central Station, New York City, U.S.A.

1998:“Down to Earth: New Ceramics from South Africa” Long House Reserve, New

         York, U.S.A.

2000:South African Pavilion, International Trade Fair, Caen, France

2005:Ceramic Art London 2005, Royal College of Art, London, UK

2006:Ceramic Art London 2006, Royal College of Art, London, UK

2006:Sidney Myer Fund International Ceramics Award Show, Shepparton Art

         Gallery, Australia

2007:Ceramic Art London 2007. Royal College of Art, London, UK

2007:SOFA New York, represented by Reece Galleries at the 67th Armory

2008:Ceramic Art London 2008, Royal College of Art, London, UK

2009:Ceramic Art London 2009. Royal College of Art, London ,UK

2009:Art in Clay 2009. Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, UK

2010:Ceramic Art London 2010, Royal College of Art, London UK

 

Work in Public Art Collections

- Johannesburg Art Gallery

- South African National Gallery, Cape Town

- Market Theatre Foundation, Johannesburg

- Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria

- William Humphreys Museum, Kimberley

- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum

 

Awards

1994: Molly Fish award for Best Handwork, National Ceramics Biennale

          Exhibitions

1983 to Present:  Numerous individual and group shows throughout South Africa

2001: Finalist Nominee for Alumnus Student of the Year,

2007: Master Crafter at One of a Kind, Decorex, Johannesburg

2008: Master Crafter at SA Handmade Collection, Johannesburg

2009: Selected as Icon at SA Handmade Collection, Johannesburg

2005 to 2009: Participated in Design Indaba

 

Ref:  http://www.clementina.co.za/about/clementina-van-der-walt/