Ardmore: We Are Because of Others, by Fée Halsted

Ardmore: We Are Because of Others, by Fée Halsted. ISBN 9781431701117 / ISBN 978-1-4317-0111-7

Ardmore: We Are Because of Others, by Fée Halsted. ISBN 9781431701117 / ISBN 978-1-4317-0111-7

'Ardmore: We Are Because of Others' is the story of the indomitable Fée Halsted who is the driving force behind Ardmore Ceramic Art, and the artists whose inventive spirit and fearless creativity are at the heart of Ardmore.

Fée Halsted  

The story of Ardmore began almost thirty years ago when I started on a journey teaching ceramics to a talented group of rural people in a remote corner of KwaZulu-Natal, where the opportunities for employment - particularly for women - were few and far between. All we had were raw talent, clay and simple tools, primarily our hands. The combination of my teaching and the young artists' discovery of their creative talents enabled us to develop a unique style and range of ceramics, as well as achieve our first goal - that of putting food on the table. Years later I discovered that, as their skills matured and they gained confidence, the artists also nurtured their own ambitions. Of course they wanted cars and homes. But they wanted something even more important than that. They wanted recognition as true artists. Today, Josephine Ghesa, Wonderboy Nxumalo, Petros Gumbi, Nhlanhla Nsundwane, Punch Shabalala, Virginia Xaba, Mickey Chonco, Wiseman Ndlovu, Sondelani Ntshalintshali, Sabelo Khoza, Bennet Zondo, Alex Sibanda and Victor Shabalala are acclaimed artists in their own right. I was fortunate that, from the time I lived in Zimbabwe, where I was raised, to the years I have spent in KwaZulu-Natal, I have trusted and loved the African people around me. As a child, my family taught me to appreciate the same values as those inherent in Zulu culture: inclusiveness, listening, sharing and ubuntu (meaning 'We are because of others'), which in one word describes how a person should behave - with respect, kindness and generosity. I believe that this sharing of a common culture has enabled me to vault the barrier that so often divides white and black and, together with a wonderful group of artists, to create an ethos of ubuntu at Ardmore. There are no politics, gender or race in creativity. Rather, the artists and I are connected by an unshakeable love of nature, and our day-to-day lives are filled with beauty and caring people. This is the foundation on which Ardmore has been built. I have always followed my intuition, sometimes even doing things without understanding why. I have never been afraid to take on a challenge; if it failed, I would try again. I have always listened to advice, from friends, mentors and advisors, and have never hesitated to adopt new ideas or adapt to change. Like many people who live close to the land, I find peace and comfort in the beauty of nature. I have also learnt to embrace life and give thanks for every peaceful day. As Ardmore developed, I came to share the helplessness of the artists when, at times, we collided with a world so different from rural Africa. I believe that, as our natural world shrinks, those who live close to nature will inhabit a far better world than those deluded by the belief that life in the twenty-first century is easier, with its modern technology, fast cars fuelled by an unsustainable resource, concrete jungles that do nothing for the soul, and the continual demand for more goods. African creativity is filled with passion and celebrates nature. It has brought new meaning and relevance to westerners who all too often do not have the time to pause and wonder at the world around them. Whether it is music, song, dance or art, African creativity is an expression of a specific time and place, and a reminder of just how precious our planet is. It is also without any falsity, without pretension, without lies and without self. Developing Ardmore has not been an easy ride, but an ethos of hard work, trust and belief in people has sustained me. I was always sure that we would fly above the clouds of doubt and failure. 'Yes, we can!' are words that have echoed down the years since that eventful day in 1985 when I started teaching Bonnie Ntshalintshali. There has been delight, excitement and heartache, and every step of the way has brought fresh challenges and creative responses. For me Ardmore is colour and life and joy It opens a door into an imaginary world filled with beauty, humour and the unexpected. [...]

This is an excerpt from the book: Ardmore: We Are Because of Others, by Fée Halsted.

Book title: Ardmore - We Are Because of Others
Author: Fée Halsted
Imprint: Fernwood Press
Publisher: Random House Struik
Cape Town, South Africa 2012
ISBN 9781431701117 / ISBN 978-1-4317-0111-7
Hardcover, dustjacket, 25x29 cm, 208 pages, throughout colour photos

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