An Act of Faith: A Specially Curated Ceramics Exhibition at Spier Wine Farm
Many might see art as an act of faith. Especially when challenges like loadshedding and even the weather come to play. With ceramics, even more so.
The notion of transformation is endemic to the ceramics-making process. There is no guarantee of what the end result will be – something that adds magic to the process and makes the artform so unique.
‘An Act of Faith’ – a specially curated ceramics exhibition – is currently underway at Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch and it’s one not to be missed. Working with ceramics is part sorcery, part artistry and part faith. With it being such an unpredictable medium to work with, the outcomes are often completely different to what the ceramist might have predicted.
Christian Buchner is one of the artists whose work is currently being showcased at the Spier-based exhibition, which runs until 23 October 2023. He says: “While every medium affords unique possibilities, ceramics – with their arcane workings in the firing process – bewitch.”
Unpredictability and uncertainty aren’t the only challenges when working with ceramics, though. In fact, the main reason for Tamlin Blake, the Chief Curator at Spier Art Trust, to have organised this exhibition was because of the unusually small number of ceramics exhibited at the annual Ceramics South Africa exhibition in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. “It was shocking because there were very few pieces being exhibited,” Blake says. “Part of it was due to Covid, of course, but frequent loadshedding was also an issue.” Ultimately, artists working with ceramics currently find it hard to practise their craft due to various unpredictable factors. In support of these artists, Spier Arts is giving them an opportunity to showcase their work to a broader market within South Africa through the And Act of Faith Exhibition.
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All the ceramic creations featured in exhibition tell a story. It’s also interesting to note that some of the featured artists have prioritised working with recycled clay, repurposed from pre-loved creations. Others have searched rivers, dams and far-flung farms to gather their own clay by digging, processing and experimenting with this ‘wild clay’ as featured artist, Mark Dodd calls it. This process resonates with Spier’s regenerative business and sustainability principles.
Whether it was made from wild or recycled clay, the pieces on display are sure to impress with many a story to be told. As with all ceramics, functionality is key. Therefore, many of the pieces exhibited will also serve a hint of practicality.
The exhibition is held at Spier’s Old Wine Cellar and is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00.
