Qiniso Mungwe carefully adds finishing details to a lion-drawn carriage sculpture OPPOSITE: This lion trophy urn was made by two artists: Qiniso Mungwe and Virginia Xaba. Items such as this detailed and evocative piece are usually made for exhibitions, or when Halsted-Berning feels that a new masterwork needs to be added to the beautiful displays at Caversham Gallery. Special orders are usually inspired by an existing piece such as this one, and Halsted-Berning describes the ideal Ardmore customer as someone “who falls in love and is awed by our creativity, who appreciates the skill, workmanship, and time that the artists have lovingly put into their artworks. The customer who recognizes this value and never asks for a better price.” The wallpaper panel behind the urn is Savanna Shell, in the colorway Ochre, Soot & Orange, and is manufactured by Cole & Son (cole-and- son.com/products/savanna-shell/); it is available to order in South Africa from St Leger & Viney (stleger.co.za).
Ardmore’s location is also a key influence on the work its artists produce, which showcases their unique interpretations of the fauna and flora of southern Africa. Halsted-Berning explains, “Ardmore is inspired by wildlife and flora, and the peace of the property is conducive to a happy work environment, which is very important to artists.” Around seventy sculptors and painters arrive to work at Ardmore each morning, where Halsted-Berning—as creative director and lead—begins her daily round, checking on each artist’s progress and generally overseeing the production process. From talking to the kiln operators about their schedules to sharing new drawings of ideas with the artists and ensuring that each maker is “happy with their current workload,” Halsted-Berning’s input is essential to all Ardmore’s processes. She also does all the final checks on both sculpted and painted artworks and approves each piece for the kiln. For items that are specially commissioned, she will regularly check in with the sculptors regarding their interpretation of the client’s requests. E very ceramic piece the studio creates begins with an artist molding a clay sculpture using white earthenware clay. When dry, the piece is bisque fired, painted with underglaze paints, fired in the kiln again, and given a final layer of painted glaze and another firing. “We often do a combination of matte and glossy glazes on the artworks,” says Halsted-Berning. For pieces that have gold luster added, a fourth firing is necessary. Halsted-Berning is there each step of the way with the studio artists—checking on concepts and execution in the clay sculpting process, making suggestions regarding the painting of underglazes and details, and providing a supportive framework within which they can allow their imaginations and talents free rein. The result is a delightful array of ceramic works that are recognized the world over as modern-day collectibles and are regularly featured in sales by auction houses such as Christie’s, Bonham’s, and Sotheby’s. The Ardmore aesthetic is unique. Asked to sum it up in three words, Halsted-Berning selects “elegant,” “quirky,” and “well-made.” Indeed, Ardmore works combine all of these
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