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By Ten x Collective
Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum launch inaugural SA Clay Awards in recognition of ceramic excellence in South Africa.
Prompted by its acceptance as an affiliate member of the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC), The Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum has announced the launch of the inaugural SA Clay Awards, which will exhibit its winning pieces from 2 November to 7 December 2024 for the first time.
As an organisation affiliated to Unesco and devoted to ceramic excellence, the IAC nod was seen as a fittingly momentous opportunity to propose a new biennale award and exhibition, in recognition of the wealth of skill and talent in the South African ceramics landscape.
Alternating annually with the Portrait Award the inaugural SA Clay Awards celebrates mastery and creativity in the field. A novel structure meant that anyone could enter and sees the top 50 pieces acknowledged rather than a singular winner. Uniquely, the sponsored awards money will also be shared equally between the creators of the final selection.
This speaks to the versatility of the medium. With so many ways to interpret, work with and express a concept through clay, choosing one winner would have been next to impossible. “We were really pleased with the range of work entered. A collection of pieces like this shows you the wonder of clay, and what clay can do,” says Hennie Meyer, curator of the show and a prolific ceramic artist in his own right.
The vision was for an exhibition that would showcase ceramic excellence and capture the essence of the current scene in South Africa. “The concept for this exhibition has long intrigued me – it aims to present a diverse, unbiased collection of clay works that go beyond the singular perspective of any curator or gallery. An embodiment of excellence, richness, expression, concept, and craftsmanship,” he adds.
Digging Deep: Inside the Clay Awards Judging Process
And certainly, the judging process played a big role in showcasing this depth. A group of 10 respected international and local panelists – experts in their fields, ranging from renowned ceramic artists to revered academics – ensured that a wide range of viewpoints were part of the assessment of the works. Selectors included Magdalene Odundo (UK/Kenya), Andile Dyalvane (South Africa); Ronnie Watt (Canada/South Africa); Andre Hess (UK/South Africa); Digby Hoets (South Africa); Olivia Barrell (South Africa); Janet de Boos (Australia); Guangzhen Zhou (USA/China); Stanis Mbwanga (Congo) and Elizabeth Perril (USA).
Each panelist chose their top 50 pieces, with the 50 most voted pieces (by 45 artists) overall forming the final selection. The judging was conducted anonymously, allowing selectors to choose works without any contact or deliberation among one another.
This ensured not only a fair judging process but a great variety of work in the final selection. What was also interesting for Hennie and his team as the results came back was that out of 518 entries, 260 received votes. “This shows us that not only was the work extremely diverse but also of an incredibly high standard,” he notes.
Diversity is clearly apparent too, in the incredible variety of the entrants themselves. They range from established names and stalwarts of the ceramics industry to brand-new talents entering the medium. Wonderful variety and rich stories emerge – from the oldest entrant, Felicity Potter who was born in 1935 who entered a piece with her partner David Schlapobersky, to well-known brothers Madoda and Siyabonga Fani both with pieces in the lineup, and many more besides.
Pieces vary greatly in style and execution too – expressive figurative sculptural works stand alongside delicate functional vessels and contemporary graphic designs sit next to the ultra-minimal. It’s a truly multifaceted curation that speaks volumes about the medium itself, and the wide spectrum of creativity locally. Curated by Meyer, the works will be displayed in such a way as to highlight exactly this diversity and versatility.
Meyer refers to the words of Ashraf Jamal in his essay An Intimate Materialism published in Clay Formes (2023) to summarise the richness of the medium: “As Caitlin MacDonald reminds us, ‘We have constructed shelters, vessels for food and water, made idols, art objects, vases, currencies, talismans, funerary urns, inscribed laws and myths upon clay surfaces.’ We are wrought from mud. Clay precedes humankind; it will exist long after we are gone.”
To Meyer, “this profound sentiment reflects the enduring relationship between humanity and this fundamental material”. SA Clay Awards invites you to explore the stories and emotions conveyed through each piece in this exhibition – a collective homage to the rich heritage and future of ceramic artistry in South Africa.
It will open to the public on Saturday 2 November at 11am. The works will be on display at the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum until 7 December 2024.
List of awardees:
Barker, Melissa
Bernstein, Bianca
Botha, Deirdre
Brett, Justin
Claassens, Lissa
Cronjé, Ella
Cruise, Wilma
Dahl, Astrid
Fani, Madoda
Fani, Siyabonga
Glenday, Katherine
Godwin, Sandy
Gregor, Mariëtte
Haines, Charmaine
Heesom-Green, Dianne
Hoets, Lesley-Ann
Hön, Eugene
Jarvis, Jane
Kotzé, Karin
Lambert, Dale
Louridas, Gari
Luthuli, Sbonelo
Jonker, Niël
Maweni, Chuma
May, Meriel
Mogridge, Andrew
Nthunya, Sesing Frank
Price, Gregg
Rybicka, Amanda
Schlapobersky, David and Felicity
Scott, Johannes
Sherlock, Adéle
Shirley, John
Sithole, Nicholas
Spencer, Nada
Swart, Johan
Van der Merwe, Uys
Van der Walt, Clementina
Van Rooyen, Karlien
Von Bismarck, Wiebke
Walford, Andrew
Walsh, Nick
Walter, Guy
Wentzel, René
Wilkinson, Geena
For more information:
Visit www.rust-en-vrede.com/clayawards
Follow @rust_en_vredegallery on Instagram
To Breathe and Pause:
The Stellenbosch Triennale invites you to Rehearse for the Future
To Breathe and Pause:
The Stellenbosch Triennale invites you to Rehearse for the Future
By Ten x Collective
Posted Wednesday 4 September 2024
The Stellenbosch Triennale, a pivotal event in the global art calendar, will once again transform the historic town of Stellenbosch into a dynamic, open-air gallery from 19 February to 30 April 2025. The brainchild of the Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust (SOST), a non profit organisation and supported by Outset Contemporary Art Fund, the Triennale that is free to the public promises to be a profound exploration of art, community and existence under the evocative theme by sociologist, sangoma and Chief Curator Khanyisile Mbongwa titled, BA’ZINZILE: A Rehearsal for Breathing.
The Stellenbosch Triennale debuted in 2020 with a bold vision: to elevate Stellenbosch, as a premier destination for multidisciplinary art in Africa and to create a platform where public art and creativity engage critically with society. The inaugural event set a high standard with its array of provocative installations and performances that challenged visitors to rethink their surroundings and themselves.
Building on this foundation, the 2025 edition seeks to push boundaries even further. As Chief Curator Mbongwa explains, “For this Triennale I want us to enter into a rehearsal space as a way of imagining how we can co-create in the real world, how exhibition making in itself is a rehearsal space for the things we want to do. And as such, I have invited artists to make their work on-site over a 10 day period that can be recycled or disintegrated back to land after the Triennale so as to minimise my carbon footprint by not transporting artworks back and forth. In this way, we get to enact a playfulness in the making and witnessing the work.”
This commitment to sustainability and process forms part of the curators practice of Care & Cure. Mbongwa – a Stellenbosch university alumnus who works within public realm, interventions and interdisciplinary practices – in this project heeded the call from her ancestors to mediate on themes that explore spirit, breath and improvisation. “I am in the labour of my purpose. My work is always expansive and a deep-time conversation with amadlozi (ancestors), uNkulunkulu (God/Source), and Abahlali (the collective of beings); as I move through and in the world, I’m invited into different geographical locations and called into spiritual ancestral indigenous conversations,” explains Mbongwa.
A Tradition of Artistic Innovation
The inaugural Stellenbosch Triennale took place at the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic, which cut the Triennale’s duration short and changed many lives. Project Director and Trustee, Andi Norton, draws parallels to this year’s exhibition sub-theme of rehearsal. “We had no idea that it would only be open for such a short time in 2020, we had worked hard and sacrificed so much and to have it all be shut down so soon was devastating. It was only after a year or two that we could start exploring doing another one.” Norton continues, “Only now can we look back on it and see the incredible rehearsal space that it was for us.
Through the theme, the curator is giving us, the organisers and artists, permission to experiment and play.” The theme, BA’ZINZILE: A Rehearsal for Breathing, invites artists and audiences alike to contemplate the act of breathing — both a fundamental physical process and a metaphor for resilience and survival. “Breathing in states of duress, breathing through wounds,” reflects Mbongwa in her curatorial statement, “we persist, we insist, we improvise our existence in a world that often feels like it’s losing its breath.”
Informed by the Nguni concept of UKU’ZINZA — being grounded and calm — the theme explores stillness as a mechanism for survival, a strategy for imagination, and an act of aliveness. In a time when breathlessness is a global experience, the Triennale positions itself as a space for reflection, recovery, and preparation for a different future.
A Dynamic and Interactive Experience
Unlike traditional art exhibitions, the Stellenbosch Triennale 2025 will be a living, breathing entity, constantly evolving over its two-month duration. The intention is to invite our visitors to enter a rehearsal space with us, where some works will exist in a space of improvisation, some in the space of composition and intervention, others in exploration – in the ways we negotiate our breath and ultimately our aliveness.
Assistant Curator Dr Mike Mavura adds, “We wanted the artists to think of breath in multiple ways in relation to the human body and to start to think of breath in expanded ways; what happens when you breathe deeply? What happens when you are short of breath? And then, what happens when you can’t breathe?” This conceptual framework will be evident in the diverse array of mediums on display, from visual art and sculpture to sound installations, performance, and dance.
A Curated Selection of International Artists across Multiple Venues across Stellenbosch
The 2025 Stellenbosch Triennale will feature an impressive line-up of artists from the African continent and beyond. Among the artists participating In The Current include: Alexandre Kyungu Mwilambwe (Democratic Republic of Congo), Aline Motta (Brazil), Aziz Hazara (Afghanistan), Lebohang Kganye (South Africa), Simphiwe Ndzube (South Africa),Torkwase Dyson (USA), Thierry Oussou (Benin) and William Miko (Zambia). “We will be showcasing a truly diverse range of practices,” notes Mavura, “from sound, sculpture, and installations with plant life to paintings, photography, dance, and performance. The aim is to activate all the senses, providing a holistic experience that challenges and delights.”
The featured artists in On the Cusp include: Astrid González (Colombia-Chile), Helen Zeru (Ethiopia), Kasangati Godelive Kabena (Democratic Republic of Congo), Manyaku Mashilo (South Africa), Nandele Muguni (Mozambique), Simphiwe Buthelezi (South Africa), Takunda Regis Billiat (Zimbabwe) and Tuli Mekodjo (Namibia).
A Rehearsal for a New World
The Stellenbosch Triennale will take place at the Oude Libertas precinct and across multiple venues throughout the town, turning Stellenbosch into a curated public laboratory for creative expressions and engagements. The collaboration with the Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust and other local institutions ensures a rich, textured experience that reflects the unique cultural and natural landscape of the region, recognised for its vineyards and academic excellence.
This year’s Triennale is more than an exhibition; it is a call to action, a rehearsal for breathing anew in a world filled with challenges and possibilities. “Art becomes an infrastructure for cure and care,” says Mbongwa, “posing the question: if death is the given condition, how do we prepare to live?” The Stellenbosch Triennale 2025 invites you to be part of this journey – to breathe, reflect, imagine, play, and rehearse for the world we want to create.
The Stellenbosch Triennale takes place from 19 February – 30 April 2025 at Oude Libertas, the Woodmill, Rupert Museum and Stellenbosch University Museum. Entry is free to the public.
For more information:
Visit www.stellenboschtriennale.com
Follow on X (Twitter) @stbtriennale, on Instagram @stellenboschtriennale and Facebook @stellenboschtriennale
#StellenboschTriennale #ST2025
The Stellenbosch Triennale 2025 is supported by Outset Contemporary Art Fund, Afexim Bank, Remgro, and Heineken.
FOOD XX Awards 2024
Recognising 19 Women Transforming South Africa’s Food Scene
FOOD XX Awards 2024
Recognising 19 Women Transforming South Africa’s Food Scene
By Studio H
By Studio H
A group of 19 women from across South Africa have been honoured for their outstanding contributions to the food and hospitality industry.
The winners of the 2024 FOOD XX Awards have been revealed, with 19 pioneers honoured at a special ceremony held at Soetmelksvlei, Babylonstoren, on Wednesday, 28 August. Launched by Studio H in 2019, the biennial awards celebrate the remarkable contributions of women across the food and hospitality industry, recognising excellence in everything from farming and food styling to education, culinary heritage, and beyond.
“We were once again overwhelmed by the incredible volume of nominations,” says Hannerie Visser, director and founder of Studio H. “This only strengthens our conviction that women truly are the backbone of the food and hospitality industry. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that we take the time to celebrate and honour their remarkable contributions.”
The winners were those who received the most votes from a pool of over 500 candidates. Nominations were open to the public during the months of July and August, with the judging performed by an independent panel comprising winners from the year prior – as is customary at the FOOD XX Awards. This year’s panel consisted, amongst others, of Dr Anna Trapido, Zandile Finxa, Khanya Mzongwana and Errieda du Toit.
“We are thrilled to shine a light on the extraordinary women shaping the future of our industry,” says Visser. “The FOOD XX Awards are more than just a celebration of their achievements; they are a platform for amplifying their voices and fostering a community where women can inspire, uplift, and support one another across every aspect of food and hospitality.”
The 2024 FOOD XX Awards winners, by category, are as follows:
Baker: Megan Wessels, owner of With HÄRT Bakery
Behind the scenes: Chiara Turilli, co-founder of Lello’s Deli
Drinks: Danielle Schoeman, the founder and distiller at Doña Distillery
Food Educator: Debbie Ayub, co-owner & principal of Sense of Taste Chef School
Food Entrepreneur: Daniela Gutstadt, owner and executive chef of Culinary Table Restaurant and Deli in Lanseria
Farming: Iming Lin, owner of Meuse Farm
Food Heritage: Mashau Mabunda, founder of Xigugu Royalty
Food Photographer: Ashleigh Frans, owner of Wide Wing Photography
Food stylist presented by Spekko: Simone Nel
Food writer presented by Spekko: Khanya Mzongwana, Deputy Food Editor, Woolworths Taste
Front of House presented by Krone: Katlego Mathobela, head sommelier at Proud Mary
Future Food: Roushanna Gray, founder and owner of Veld and Sea
Giving Back: Nolizwe Sotondoshe, founder of Nande’s Kitchen
In The Kitchen: Jes Doveton, owner of Acid Wine Bar
Sustainability: Latiefah Behardien, the Chief Technical and Sustainability Officer at Woolworths Foods
Legacy Award: Abigail Donnelly, the Creative Food Editor at Woolworths Taste, Eat Out Chief Judge and Food Creative for Woolworths Foods Marketing
Trailblazer: Zyda Rylands, the outgoing CEO of Woolworths Foods
Chef of the Year presented by ClemenGold: Jessica van Dyk, Chef Patron at Post & Pepper
Food Icon: Xoliswa Ndoyiya, former personal chef to Nelson Mandela and custodian of Xhosa culinary culture
“Our winners are paving the way for a future where food connects us all in deeper, more meaningful ways,” says Visser. “Their creativity and determination are driving change that extends beyond the plate – redefining our relationships, our communities, and our shared experiences.”
In the spirit of supporting women and the community that FOOD XX celebrates, the 2024 awards trophies were crafted by Brigitte Lilley (@beelilley), a former FOOD XX Awards winner in the ‘Behind the Scenes’ category.
Contact :
JC Landman jc@studio-h.co.za or Hannerie Visser h@studio-h.co.za
Follow @fxxd_xx on Instagram
Launching Design Week South Africa :
A platform for South Africa’s creative industries to showcase, inspire and prosper
By Design Week South Africa
By Design Week South Africa
Design Week South Africa, powered by Yoco, is a curated calendar of events and immersive experiences that will showcase the future of South African design through knowledge-sharing, inclusivity and support.
Together with Yoco, their mission is to create South Africa’s leading design platform. A platform that celebrates design as an expression of creative thinking and making, creates connections, jumpstarts collaborations, and cultivates the next generation of creative leaders.
The initiative aims to boost the local creative economy through product showcases, exhibitions and activations, while increasing both the local, and international public and media’s knowledge, awareness, and appreciation of South African design.
‘I have had the privilege of a career spent contributing towards, promoting and engaging with our local creative community. With an abundance of skills, opportunities, and energy at our disposal, I am excited to embark on a new role where I can help to create a platform that showcases forward-thinking design that is inspirational, educational, sustainable and economically viable for all who engage in it,’ says Design Week South Africa founder, Margot Molyneux.
OPEN CALL :
Occurring in Johannesburg and Cape Town, designers, brands and makers are invited to apply to participate in each city’s four day event. Once accepted, creatives will be included in a calendar of events that will consist of workshops, exhibitions, engaging discussions, interactive installations, performances, showroom experiences, food and drinks activations, exciting collaborations, product launches, walkabout tours and open studios.
Spanning all design disciplines, Design Week’s aim is to include the fields of Architecture, Art, Dance, Fashion, Food, Furniture, Graphic Design, Industrial, Interior, Jewellery, Music, Product Design and Urban Planning.
Each showcase, event, activation and exhibition on display at Design Week South Africa 2024 will be curated through the lens of their four content pillars: Space Sharing, Growing Collaboratively, Future Archives, Game Changing.
Link to applications : www.designweeksouthafrica.com
TITLE SPONSOR :
Yoco builds financial tools and solutions for businesses of all sizes and all kinds. They understand and celebrate the crucial role the creative industry plays in the economy and society as a whole. Yoco proudly supports Design Week South Africa, celebrating the many creative entrepreneurs through this platform.
Mmaphuthi Morule, Head of Brand Marketing at Yoco explains, ‘At Yoco, we’re proud to support Design Week South Africa, a platform that mirrors our own commitment to fostering creativity and innovation. By empowering local designers and creators, we’re not just celebrating their achievements; we’re investing in a vibrant future for South Africa’s creative economy. This partnership aligns with our mission to support small businesses and drive growth through meaningful connections and transformative experiences.’
FEATURED PROJECT :
The Modular Public Playground is a fantastic example of how collaboration and creativity can generate positive change in our communities. Aiming to transform public space into safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing areas, this three-piece installation was commissioned by Young Urbanists, in partnership with Urban Think-Tank Empower. Designed by Jeffrey James, and locally manufactured by Stonecast, these pieces are part of South Africa’s first street experiment on Langa’s Lerotholi Avenue, in collaboration with the Masakhe Foundation and the City of Cape Town.
‘Our purpose at Design Week South Africa is to encourage and showcase innovative creativity, expanding local design appreciation, and positively influencing our communities. Whether it be interior, product or furniture design, landscape or urban planning, the act of creative thinking can be a game changer – and we’re here to engage with it, witness exciting projects like this one, and ultimately celebrate it all’, says Margot.
DATES :
Johannesburg
Thursday, 10 – Sunday, 13 October 2024
Cape Town
Thursday, 24 – Sunday, 27 October 2024
VISIT :
As of mid-September, the public will be able to book tickets and RSVP to the various Design Week events through an online portal.
CONTACT :
Visit www.designweeksouthafrica.com
Follow @designweeksouthafrica on Instagram
