Posted under Tsepe Tsepe Design
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These functional coffee mugs are made valuable because it captures a historic reference to the society they grew up in. Sim and Goodman proudly present you with these coffee mugs hand painted with humble images from their environment. See it as functional art! It takes 7Hrs to make, consider surface treatment and paint the images on 3 of these mugs. It is labour intensive, and the price will eventually reflect this, considering that their skill and story telling capabilities will improve.
Is there anybody out there that will offer a fair price for these first mugs?
I was in awe seeing these mugs painted after I had given them my first “crit” on the first items that they have painted. The improvement was astonishing and I truly believe that they have the perseverance to develop their talents in this creative business. They have stories to express and I am sure that the demand exists for honest one of a kind works like these. I would like them to consider social comment more intensely, there are so much to express in our society, so many stories we can all relate to.
The importance of Tea Time for the working classes is expressed in the The Tea Time Mug, as an event, it is possibly as important as one’s breakfast to start the day with. For me it is a non event, drinking tea whenever it is presented to me and then often just forgetting it as I rush around as self-employed people tend to do, never allowing the use of Tea Time as an event to revitalize myself.
The pipe with smoke is Gillian’s favourite.
The images are mostly symbolic of past experiences, like; the importance of rain, the value of children, leisure activities of the elders smoking, preparation of food and farming activities.
The mug decorated with the traditional implements, when using oxen, to prepare the earth for planting, is common with the disadvantaged or rural outback black farmers. Using a tractor would have expressed a dream and not the real memory as Goodman has experienced the act of planting.
I am sure that these playful artworks can make Tea Time, the event, a must, 15 minutes to hold, recall and share memories.
Gerrit Oosthuizen on 03 Jul 2008 at 8:53 am #
Thanks Elza
The comments below are very special and we really appreciate your commitment to our blog.
Gerrit
It is so good to be kept up to date not only with your own latest creations but also with that of other ceramic artists - here I’m thinking of those amazing ceramic chairs! More proof that there are no boundaries to the creativity of the artistic mind. Keep us informed!
Your own latest designs for bathrooms and kitchens once again show your admirable capacity to continuously create not only beautiful tiles but also work of a very high quality. I can now tell that the 3 - in my eyes unique! - little gold on black “bird” tiles from your studio have found a place on a wall especially created for them, in the Netherlands!
But on to Sim and Goodman. First of all, hats of to you for all the support - time and energy - you have given to the KwasaKwasa project! Those mugs also immediately told me a “story”. These guys have real talent. There is some “rawness” in the beautiful little designs - or is it “freshness”- that I sincerely hope will not disappear as their skills develop but with guidance from you 3 wise “men” I am sure that will not happen! What you are doing to exploit some of the enormous “hidden” potential in your country is in one word admirable! It would be so wonderful if more artist were prepared to follow in your footsteps! Also, last but certainly not the least, your efforts to conserve energy and work towards a “greener”environment show REAL committment! Keep it up and keep your fans informed of what is happenning in the exiting world of ceramics!
Elza