MARTHA ZETTLER CERAMICS
Internationally acclaimed ceramicist, Martha Zettler, works exclusively in the medium of bone china, producing refined and tactile vessels of delicate beauty and fragile translucency.
TECHNIQUE
Ceramic artist, Martha Zettler, studied the work of Lie and Coper as well as that of German ceramicists.
The 20th century formalist aesthetic of pure uncluttered line, manifested in Bauhaus ideals and modernist architecture, found echoes in her use of line and seductive surface for their own sake.
The material, bone china, allows a refinement of these pieces that reaches beyond even the capabilities of porcelain: more translucency and whiteness. The appeal of the vessels resides in the tactile quality of the surface, etched and enhanced by counterpoints of design. Pieces are cast in bone china, or porcelain.
Martha follows a precise and painstaking routine to create her exquisite pieces.
First, she makes a model from which she produces a mould, and then casts the forms. After bisque-firing, the forms are masked and sandblasted. Her new work includes pieces with underglaze colours.
Firing to about 1,240°C, some pieces are glazed while others are polished and sealed.
These beautiful pieces range in size from 10 cm to about 25 cm.
For many years she made her own bone china slip. However, some ingredients are no longer available and she now uses Southern Ice Porcelain slip.
After working in white and decorating her vessels with geometrical designs for many years, Martha has introduced colour inspired by the beautiful flowers and trees of Queensland.
SELECTED PIECES
CURRICULUM VITAE
Biography
Born in Norden, Germany
1964
Immigrated to Durban, South Africa
1968–1970
Studied Ceramics at Technical College in Durban
1973
Opened own studio
1976
Founder Member, Association of Potters South Africa, Natal region
1980–1992
Chairperson, Ceramics South Africa, Natal region
1984–1986
Studied Ceramics and Ceramic Science at Natal Technikon, Durban
1986–1990
National Vice Chairperson, Association of Potters South Africa
1987–1990
Studied Ceramics at University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg
2000–2005
Chairperson, Ceramics South Africa, Natal Region
2002
Started outreach program in ceramics for black artists at BAT Centre, Durban
2003
Started ceramic program at AIDS centre in Hillcrest
2010
Fellow of South Africa Ceramics
2012
Moved to Brisbane, Australia, where she lives and works
Selected exhibitions
2014
Ceramic Art Queensland, Annual Members Exhibition, Australia
2013
Fusions, Queensland Ceramics Members Exhibition, Australia
South African Ceramics, Roubaix, France
2012
KZN Regional Exhibition, Durban, South Africa
National Exhibition, Pretoria, South Africa
2011
Invitation International Ceramic Triennial, Spiez, Switzerland
2010
National Ceramics Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa
2009
International Ceramic Exhibition, Varazdin, Croatia
2008
South African National Exhibition, Johannesburg, South Africa
2006
Crust, International Travel Exhibition, Australia
National FNB Vita Craft, Durban, South Africa
National Ceramics SA, Cape Town, South Africa
Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Awards, Queensland, Australia
2005
International Festival of Postmodern Ceramics, Croatia
Gold Coast International Ceramics Art Awards, Queensland, Australia
2004
Sidney Myer Fund International Ceramics Awards, Shepparton, Australia
1st European Ceramics Competition, Amaroussion, Greece
Gold Coast International Ceramics Art Awards, Queensland, Australia
The Brett Kebble Art Awards, South Africa
2003
Invitation to International Ceramic Triennale, Spiez, Switzerland
Altech International Ceramic Triennal, Cape Town, South Africa
2002
Sidney Myer Fund International Ceramics Award, Shepparton, Australia
Sotheby's London, UK
National African Earth Exhibition, Johannesburg, South Africa
Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Awards, Queensland, Australia
2001
World Ceramic Biennale, Ichon, Korea
2000
International Ceramic Triennale, Spiez, Switzerland
Altech International Ceramic Biennale, Johannesburg, South Africa
1999
International Ceramic Biennale, Aveiro, Portugal
1998
World Triennale of Small Ceramics, Zagreb, Croatia
Fletcher Challenge Award, Auckland, New Zealand
Altech International Ceramic Biennale, Johannesburg, South Africa
1997
International Ceramic Triennale, Spiez, Switzerland
1996
Solo Exhibition, NSA Gallery, Durban, South Africa
1995
Solo Exhibition, Gallery L, Hamburg, Germany
1994
South African Crafts, London
1992
Contemporary Ceramics, Taipei, Taiwan
Since 1976
Participation in Regional and National Exhibitions of the Association of Potters
Awards
2010
Fellow of South Africa Ceramics
2006
Merit Award, FNB Vita Craft, Durban, South Africa
2005
WOW! Award by Elle Decoration Magazine, South Africa
Honorary Award, Kerameikon, International Festival of Postmodern Ceramics, Varazdin, Croatia
2003
Merit Award, Altech Triennal, International Ceramic Exhibition, Cape Town
2002
Merit Award, International African Earth Exhibition, Johannesburg, South Africa
Purchase Award, Gold Coast International Ceramics Art Award, Australia
2001
Diploma, World Ceramic Exhibition, Ichon, Korea
2000
Premier Award, Altech International Ceramic Exhibition, Johannesburg, South Africa
1998
Merit Award, Altech International Ceramic Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa
1997
1st Prize, Natal Contemporary Ceramics
1995
1st Prize, Natal Contemporary Ceramics
1993
1st Prize, South Africa Ceramics Award, Industrial Ware
1992
Merit Award, South Africa Ceramics Award Biennale
Collections
Durban Art Museum
Pretoria Art Museum
King George VI Museum, Port Elizabeth
Kimberley Art Museum
National Corobrik Collection
Tathem Art Museum, Pietermaritzburg
University Collection Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Ford Foundation, New York
Ichon World Ceramic Centre, Korea
Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Australia
Kunstgemeinschaft Spiez, Switzerland
Private collections in South Africa and abroad
Publications
Contemporary Ceramics in South Africa, Struik Winchester
Craft South Africa, Macmillan
NCQ (National Ceramics Quarterly, SA) 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003
Ceramics Monthly USA, 1998, 2000
Ceramic Review
Ceramics, Art and Perception, 2003
Craft Arts International No. 57, 2003