Just about any story about South Africa these days will have something to do with the FIFA World Cup. But we'll save that pleasure for Sports Scene. Instead, we'll show you something from South Africa that was around long before, and will still be around long after the footballs have all been autographed, it's Ardmore studios between Johannesburg and Durban, at the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains, a place where clay takes wing.

In the unassuming sculpting studio, which resembles a converted garage, quirky ornaments fill the shelves. They stand in line waiting for their turn in the kiln.

Winged elephants sit next to birds, sculpted lions, and flying wart-hogs.

Victor Shabalala is one of Ardmore's most accomplished sculptors. His work is exhibited in Christie's of London, and sold internationally.

The artists here work tirelessly on perfecting their pieces, which are hugely imaginative and all involve animals or references to life and nature in some way.

Petros Gumbi has been sculpting with Ardmore since 1999, and is regarded as one of the group's most gifted artists.

Gumbi often feels that his hands are guided by a greater power.

Petros Gumbi, Sculptor of Ardmore Ceramics, said, "I think clay speaks to me because if I made the piece, sometimes if I see when it is finished, me also, I don't think maybe this piece is made by me. I think maybe God helped me a little bit to do the lovely pieces."

While many of the male artists opt to sculpt, the majority of the women in the group choose to paint the pieces once they come out of the kiln.

The work here is extremely intricate, and painters can take up to a month to complete a large piece.

Sculptors and painters here collaborate on all the pieces, but often without discussion, allowing each artist to give the piece their own independent style.

Ardmore pieces are gaining increasing international recognition, and are now available outside of South Africa.

Works are photographed and displayed online, and once they have been ordered, they are carefully wrapped and shipped to galleries and private collectors abroad.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments