DURBAN ceramic artist, Sbonelo Tau Luthuli, opens a solo exhibition of his recent work: The Song of the Soil, at the Durban Art Gallery from 9 October until 23 November.
Luthuli graduated in Fine Art at DUT in 2011. He is a regular participant in group exhibitions and showcases across the country, and had work in Earth Revelations: A Conversation in Clay in 2012 in New York. In 2013, he was awarded a Highly Commended Certificate at the Ceramics Southern Africa, Regional Exhibition held at KZNSA in Durban. In 2012, he was given a Merit Award at the Ceramics Southern Africa, Regional Exhibition held at Art Space Durban and in 2010 he was a Premier Award winner at the Ceramics Southern Africa, National Exhibition held at The Gallery at Grande Provence. (Western Cape Region).
He uses ceramic vessels (izinkamba) in his work as a premise to challenge, question, comment on certain aspects of rules and laws that serve as guidelines when creating ceramic vessels.
“In essence my work subverts and challenges the traditional cannons of vessel making. I achieve this by playing around with essential elements of traditional domestic vessels, such as the form of the vessel, shape, size and the inconsistency of a design on the surface of the vessel. I am mostly interested in the design, the shape and the form of the vessel which gives a voice to my work,” said Luthuli.
A series of workshops, walkabouts and events will accompany the exhibition. The Durban Art Gallery (DAG) is open seven days a week – Monday until Saturday from 8.30am until 4pm, and Sunday from 11am until 4pm. Entry is free and all are welcome. The DAG is on the second floor of the magnificent Durban City Hall building, enter opposite the Playhouse in Durban.
