Maria Haipinge
If passionate about working with clay and creating clay art, then enter your pieces for the 10th National Ceramics Biennale set to take place in August.
This prestigious biennale is the biggest event on the ceramics’ calendar in Namibia, and is organised by the Potters’ Association of Namibia (PAN).
The submission of work opens on 13 August for the exhibition which opens on 18 August and runs through to 17 September at the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN). Prizes will be awarded for a variety of ceramics’ categories.
“Beginners and experienced potters, from the most rural parts of the Zambezi region to the studios in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Keetmanshoop, Rosh Pinah and Lüderitz, will exhibit their best original pieces alongside each other in the main gallery of the NAGN,” said PAN chairperson Renate Williamson.
She invited everybody, especially lovers of art, to attend the opening night, saying it “really is a very special occasion”.
PAN is also offering ceramic workshops to be presented by award-winning and well-known creator, retailer, gallerist, curator and teacher Anthony Shapiro from Cape Town, South Africa. Shapiro’s first ‘Throwing and Handbuilding’ workshop will take place on 20 and 21 August at the College of the Arts’ Ceramics Studio in Windhoek, and the second workshop will take place on 26 and 27 August at Swakopmund’s Die Tonfabriek.
He is also a judge for the biennale, along with Professor Hercules Viljoen, a seasoned artist, teacher and former lecturer at the University of Namibia from Windhoek. Williamson told VIBEZ! the purpose of having a local and international judge is to widen the exposure of the local ceramics’ community.
Queried about the scope of the workshop, she said it is a great way to learn new techniques and gain fresh ideas, adding that it is a wonderful inspiration for potters to meet the guest judge and to learn about his journey in clay, while also being a wonderful way to interact with likeminded people.
“We have some amazing talent who will exhibit, and that is very exciting. I live in Lüderitz, so this will be a great opportunity to catch up with old members and meet new ones, who thus far are only a name.”
The chairperson noted that there are many people out there who are looking for something meaningful to do. She thus invites them to try their hand at pottery, saying “It’s extremely satisfying to create something out of a lump of clay. Give it a go!” Again, Bank Windhoek will be the main sponsor of the biennale.
The entry fee is N$70 for PAN members and N$250 for non-PAN membersFor entry forms and more information, visit their website www.pan.iway.na or social platforms, or contact them at 0812433766 or 0812706045 or 0816810328.
-emariahaipinge@gmail.com