From the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa to Howard Street in Manhattan’s SoHo come the imaginative, vibrant and adventurous works created by the extraordinary talents at the Ardmore ceramic studio. I caught up with the latest from Ardmore right at the close of Amaridian’s recent exhibition and was both charmed by the works on display and disappointed to have missed many others that had already been purchased. Fraser Conlon, the owner of Amaridian, was pleased to say that the show “did incredibly well and many of the top pieces have been sold.” Conlon acknowledged the backing of both Christie’s and Sotheby’s as contributing to the burgeoning success of Ardmore.

Founded by Fée Halsted in 1985 with one student, Ardmore has blossomed to 80 artists at its two studios in rural South Africa—in Natal Midlands as well as Drakensberg. As much a social enterprise as a creative venture, the end product is the result of collaborative efforts. One artist throws, another paints and still another glazes, depicting the pastoral life surrounding them.

Most of the work on view during my visit was festive and flamboyant, often sprinkled with humor. One notable exception was Men Plowing Fields, sculpted by Nhlanhla Nsundwane and painted by Wonderboy Nxumalo, whose use of a limited palette and inscriptions of poetry on his work are distinct signatures of the recently deceased artist, according to Conlon, calling to mind the famed 19th-century African-American potter known simply as Dave.

There were lots of captivating small pieces—salt and pepper sets, sugar pots, bowls, butter and sweet dishes—playfully sculpted either as surreal reflections of nature’s inhabitants—giraffes and crocodiles, to name a few, or with creatures frolicking on a lush range of colorful, tropical scenery. Among the exuberant urns, plates, teapots and tureens of flora and fauna, mermaids mingled, like guides to some mystical aquatic world.

A bevy of ingenious candlesticks and vases in surprising shapes invited long gazes. Leopards, zebras and birds cavorted on a pair of candlesticks in a rich palette of green, rose and yellow-orange. The distinctive Crested Crane Candlesticks, sculpted by Victor Shabalala and painted by Jabu Nene had an air of slight condescension. Sculpted by Layeki and painted by Zinhle Nene, the Elephant Vase was stunning, with its leafy pattern on a black background.

Visiting the customs and legends of rural KwaZulu-Natal through Ardmore ceramics is a mesmerizing journey of discovery. It’s no wonder that Hugh Edmeades, Chairman of Christie’s in South Kensington, London, has declared “Ardmore has become a modern day, living collectable.”

Ardmore ceramics at Amaridian can be viewed online at www.amaridianusa.com. Or call Fraser Conlon at 917-463-3719 to set up an appointment.

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