The exciting conversation that exists between object and subject, as well as the way in which artists look at their inspiration, form the basis of Potblou / Blou Pot, a group exhibition at Woordfees.
Curated by Alex Hamilton, the show features 18 artists (nine ceramicists and nine visual artists), and can be found on the first floor of the US Museum between 3 and 11 March.
"Interrupting the space in song" by Theo Paul Vorster and "Potblou Pot" by Belinda Leontsinis
With the pairing up of each visual artist with a blue pot made by one of the ceramicists, the challenge is to explore the object through each artist’s respective medium. This way, the concept of boundaries within art is scrutinised, leading to a new perspective when it comes to looking at existing ideas.
Results include oil on canvas and aluminium, a photo construction and even a lino print. Among the artists taking part are Clementina van der Walt, Theo Paul Vorster, Lien Botha, Catherine Brennon and Clare Menck.
"Pot of Mandela's Gold" by Alice Toich and "Blou Vrou" by Hennie Meyer
Describing their collaboration as “an inspired choice” by Hamilton, Sandra Hanekom says that what she loves most about Sikho Mququ’s clay piece, The blue balance, is the "gravitas" of the artwork itself.
"The Blue Maiden" by Sandra Hanekom and "The blue balance" by Sikho Mququ
“It was wonderful to have the physical presence of another creative person's art in the studio, albeit a bit daunting,” recalls Hanekom, who also served as curator for the Bosch in Afrika exhibition.
“Initially, I was a bit stumped, as it was a huge piece and my own works tend to be on the smaller side. I knew I would fail miserably if I attempted a still life, and that it would not really convey the ‘feel of the pot’.”
In the end, Hanekom says, she reacted to the piece instinctively and viscerally. Through this process, The blue maiden was born.
“The blue balance reminded me of a mysterious womb, the shape being similar to a pregnant woman's belly. I always try to create visual narratives in my artworks. The pot, to me, symbolically represented an African Mother Mary, especially as the colour blue is closely associated with the Christian Holy Virgin. To me, my work is a South African Lady of Guadalupe.
“Female identity politics in South Africa is extremely complex, and mostly fraught against a backdrop of extreme violence and inequity. I wanted to create a patron saint of womanhood. The blue maiden to me is a guardian, a comfort and a survivor.”
De Rust-based artist Diane McLean describes Dale Lambert’s Blue bowl (stoneware) as “unbelievably fragile”, adding that her intent was to emphasise this quality through her own piece, Still life with blue pot.
"Still Life With Blue Pot" by Diane McLean and "Blue Bowl" by Dale Lambert
“I decided to paint it partially wrapped in the bubble wrap in which it was packed when delivered to me. I surrounded it with all my usual studio objects, both man-made and organic. In this case, I used the round format to break up the strong parallels that are formed by the two shelves.”
For more information visit www.woordfees.co.za.
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