Mr. Chuma Maweni, Ceramic Artist from Cape Town, South Africa Image courtesy of Southern Guild/Cr. Hayden Phipps 1. How did you...
Mr. Chuma Maweni, Ceramic Artist
from
Cape Town, South Africa
1. How did your
career journey start? Who/what inspired you to start this art
journey?
CM:
My interest in ceramics can be traced back to some of my
earliest memories, when I would make clay figures of bulls and cows while
playing on the muddy riverbanks in the Eastern Cape. This kick-started my creative journey. Just
before matric, I realised I liked drawing, so I chose to explore graphic design
during my tertiary studies.
The first year
of the curriculum meant doing everything though – painting, ceramics,
sculpture, stained glass, printing, and many other forms of art. During second year,
we got to choose the direction we wanted to go in and by that time, I had
developed a passion for ceramics, so that’s what I ended up pursuing.
I
graduated with a B-Tech degree in ceramics from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan
University in 2002, before spending a few years teaching ceramics to rural
women in a poverty alleviation programme run by the Council
for Scientific and Industrial Research. I then moved to Cape Town in 2006 to work for the Light From Africa
Foundation, which ran the Art in the Forest ceramics studio, gallery and
outreach centre. There, I mentored and taught other ceramicists, before finally
opening my own studio in Woodstock in 2016. I have since relocated to a new
space in the Port of Cape Town.
2. Kindly share
some information about your arts, products and services.
CM: I create distinctive, hand-thrown ceramic pieces that combine contemporary hand-coiled shapes with precisely patterned incisions. My focus is usually on ceramic vessels and furniture with striking silhouettes, the latter finding its largest form to date in my Imbizo series of tables, side-tables and stools.
Image courtesy : Southern Guild/Cr. Hayden Phipps
3. What kind of challenges did you face in the beginning of your solo career?
4. What did you
do to hone your craft when you were first starting out?
5. Do you
consider yourself to be an Art Entrepreneur?
7. What are your future plans? What is your vision for the next five years?
CM: I hope to have a solo exhibition in the next year
or two. I would also like to hire a few apprentices. My goal would not only to
have the extra help, but also to train young artists who can then go on and use
the skills and knowledge to further their own careers.
8. What advice do
you have for new artists/entrepreneurs who want to start a career in some art
form?
CM: I
would tell them to have faith in themselves and in their product. A great
support structure is also key in helping you succeed. I know when I first began
working as an artist it was tough and I never envisioned that I would be where
I am right now – you just have to keep pushing on and never give up.
Image courtesy : Southern Guild/Cr. Micky Hoyle & Xigera Image courtesy : Southern Guild/Cr. Adriaan Louw
LinkedIn: (59) Chuma Maweni | LinkedIn
· Facebook: (2) Chuma M. Maweni | Facebook
· Instagram: C.H.U.M.A. M. M.A.W.E.N.I
(@chumamaweni) • Instagram photos and videos
· Visit: Chuma Maweni - Southern Guild
Interviewed by : Ms. Nisha Nikam Bhagwate
Editor - Interior Vista E-Magazine
Mob: +91 7039923179
Email: nikam.nisha@gmail.com
Blog: http://www.nishanikam.co.in
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