Visit Shongweni potter’s Easter exhibition
Award-winning potter Andrew Walford will host an open day and exhibition at his mountain top home and studio in Shongweni from Friday, April 18 to Monday, April 21.
BREATHE fresh country air while feasting your eyes on an array of world class ceramics when potter Andrew Walford hosts his annual Easter weekend open day and exhibition at his home studio in Shongweni, just past the Shongweni Farmer’s Market, from Friday, April 18 to Monday, April 21.
On exhibition from 10:00 to 17:00 will be Zulu mats, baskets, and porcelain and stoneware handmade pottery from wall tiles and hand basins to sushi platters and vases, all flame fired.
Also read: Shongweni potter offers special pieces to collectors
Speaking to the Highway Mail about his pottery journey, the award-winning Highway potter said he comes from an artistic family and attended children’s pottery classes on Saturday mornings at Durban Art School when he was 10.
Later, he studied art at Durban Technical College with James Hall and Mary Stainbank.
“I got a job at Walsh Marais Pottery in Durban when I was 16. I then worked in a production pottery with Sammy Liebermann in Johannesburg. I returned to Durban to Sycamore Road and started my own studio.”
After a while the world renowned potter travelled overseas and started a pottery workshop in the Black Forest in Germany.
“I taught at Hamburg Art School and later returned to South Africa, having met Bernard Leach in St Ives, England. I moved to my present home in Shongweni, travelling then to Japan to meet Shoji Hamada a Living National Treasure.”
Also read: Highway resident wins gold for his pots
Walford has had several exhibitions in Japan, Europe and USA.
Returning to South Africa, Walford said he was inspired to follow the Japanese tradition and continued making pots and wall tiles in stoneware and porcelain in a self-built flame fired kiln.
“The pots are fired with paraffin to 1380 degrees. Most of my very best pots that I have selected from kilns through the years will be for sale over this Easter weekend,” he said.
Teas, coffees, homemade lemon juice and hot cross buns will be available while enjoying the spectacular views over Shongweni Dam and nature reserve.
Contact 082 794 7796 for directions.
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