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Ardmore soon to launch their fabric range in KZN

Ardmore soon to launch their fabric range in KZN

Date: 2017-03-31

Fee Halsted, who established the iconic Ardmore Ceramic Art studio in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in the 1980's, has always been fascinated by two things: art and horses and both are her passion. Art classes began as a young girl, followed by five years studying fine art at the University of Natal.

Encouraged to study a 2-year post graduate course in ceramics, Fee's creative instincts and direction was irrevocably changed when she met David Middlebrook (a well-known American ceramicist).

The unconventional techniques and the ethos of 'thinking out of the box' that Fee learned from David were an integral part of her ability to establish Ardmore on a remote farm in the rolling hillsides of the lower Drakensberg.

It was on the farm - by pure ingenuity, thrift and by chance, that Fee developed the style that has made Ardmore ceramics famous. Luck intervened again when Fee needed an assistant and she met 18 year old Bonnie Ntshalintshali.

Bonnie, disabled as a result of childhood polio, showed a natural aptitude for ceramic art. Her diligence and ability with colour, design and texture was everything Fee desired in a student.

It was a partnership that brought their combined talent to the attention of art critics and collectors alike, culminating in them being awarded the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award in 1990's the first time that an artistic partnership was recognised, and the first local award for a black artist.

No traditional techniques were used. Their work broke the mould of ceramic conventions - fired terracotta clay was painted with plaka paints, boot polish and oven blackeners.

Fee continues to nurture and guide every person, oversee every piece, cajole and support every individual whose life is tied into Ardmore Ceramics.

Recently Ardemore were tasked with the incredible job of translating the much sought after ceramic work ofArdmore Ceramicsinto a textile range of silk scarves, fabric design, furniture design (couch and ottoman), as well as tableware for the range. The challenge was to translate the essence of the ceramics into a new visual language that was launched at the Food, Wine and Design in Hyde Park, JHB. The couch was nominated for the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa award, and has been featured in Visi Magazine as well as the Sunday Times, and will soon be travelling to Milan for the Talking Textile exhibition.