Trip to KZNSA by Lamis Hassim

Lamis Hassim : Visit to KZN Ceramic Exhibition 

1.  Kwazulu- Natal Society of Art

2.  The name of the group is the Ceramics Association of Southern Africa KZN Region and the title is Interpreting Ceramics.

3. More about the piece - 

Title: Pinched Teapot

Name of Artist: Mary Slack

Material: Stoneware

Price: R300

Size: More or less 15x 30 cm

4.  Coil Building involves the artist creating 'snake like' coils by shaping the medium into long threads and rolling them out. These coils are pushed and moulded to build up the medium and then joining them to form the piece.

5. The piece depicts a white teapot and is slightly more textured in some parts whereas the rest of the piece is smooth and glazed. The extra textured pieces (depicted in blue) look almost net like. This seems to give the piece a more clean and unique look.

6. The reason I chose this piece was that it was seemingly ordinary. From a far it looks as if it is any old teapot but upon inspection you can clearly see the delicate and fine detail in the aqua part of the teapot. The simplistic touch of blue adds so much more to the piece and makes it clean yet extremely pretty and delicate.

7. The elements of art which I have chosen are texture, shape and line. The smooth lines help emphasize the rhythm and movement . The repetitive smooth finish and lines that are created in the teapot helps the piece from easily as curved lines are generally more expressive and even feminine. The open geometric shape creates a sense of harmony and balance in the piece and helps all the elements go well together by making them seemingly flow even though the piece is asymmetrical . The texture in the piece which is smooth and glazed all over except in the blue areas help create a focal point. The focal point being that of the textured area. The netted texture helps draw our eye to the one different thing on the piece.

8. The artist, Mary Slacks seems to be very well established as upon investigation she is 2012 Art Champion Award winner however I could not find a website.

9. The piece is placed on a clear, elevated platform or pedestal which certainly does attract attention to it however it is placed near the wall and due to the fact that it is mostly white in colour, it is easy to miss . The display has therefore not necessarily enhanced the viewing.

10. The piece is fully functional as recorded in the image so is usable as a utensil.