- Title
- Maximum firepower: Vale van der Merwe, an emergent ceramic artist at Starways Arts, Hogsback, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Creator
- Steele, John
- Description
- Vale van der Merwe has been working as a ceramic artist for the past five years, and in that time has developed a remarkably diverse repertoire of both thrown and handbuilt works. These include rapidly thrown utilityware as well as carefully conceived sculptural works that engage with ideas rather than primarily with function. She also makes full use of opportunities offered by high-temperature woodburn firings, and despite works collapsing while being made, breaking while being carried to the kiln and slumping during firing, she has used such occasions as opportunities for learning rather than despondency. Van der Merwe is also an actively hands-on ceramic artist who engages with all levels of tasks associated with studio ceramics in a village setting, so has found herself, for example, both creating a new chimney for the kiln, and simultaneously leading discussion around concepts for new collaborative exhibitions. There is a seriousness of intent combined with infectious confidence evident in both her daily presence and ceramics, and it is hoped that she will develop her repertoire and thinkings even further in forthcoming years.
- Date
- 2015
- Type
- text, Article
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/11260/979
- Identifier
- vital:30078
- Format
- 12 pages, pdf
- Language
- English
- Relation
- South African Journal of Art History, Steele, J. (2015). Maximum firepower: Vale van der Merwe, an emergent ceramic artist at Starways Arts, Hogsback, Eastern Cape, South Africa. South African Journal of Art History, 30(1), 47-58, South African Journal of Art History 30 vol. 1 no. 47 58 2015 0258-3542
- Rights
- Art Historical Work Group of South Africa
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