Sylvestre Mqeku (Ceramics)

Tshwane University of Technology
2016 to 2017 · The Earth · Pretoria, South Africa
B_tech fine art

NMMU
Class of 2009 · Ceramic Design · Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Tshwane University of Technology
2016 to 2017 · The Earth · Pretoria, South Africa
B_tech fine art

NMMU
Class of 2009 · Ceramic Design · Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Zingisa Comprehensive High School
Umtata

Fecund.Black iron oxide, copper carbonate and chrome oxide on sand cast terracotta. 2016

Images Sourced From:
https://www.facebook.com/sylvestrem?lst=723332871%3A1731803137%3A1527013454
Photos by:
https://www.facebook.com/rupert.debeer?ref=br_rs

My Thoughts:
My exposure to ceramics as an art medium was limited as a child. I'm not sure if it was because ceramics at that time was seen only as a craft or if it was because my folks didn't really know much about it beyond the traditional thinking.
My mom certainly exposed me to various forms of ceramics in the shape of traditional African pottery to Wedgewood and Royal Albert. These can't be more different. Traditional African pottery was mostly about functionality although a decorative aspect did start coming into play through simple geometric patterns. Ceramic like Royal Albert or Wedgewood however, although functional had a strong aesthetic component. Beauty of everyday functional items was important.
I was and am always aware of the beauty of these objects, but never really saw it beyond the beautification of a functional item.
Today, I am seeing more and more ceramic work in a contemporary context, where the artist is using the medium as a sculptural medium. Some are still functional pieces, but the functionality plays second place to the adornment of the object.
Sylvestre takes the approach of pure sculpture, modern pieces using old techniques. Using compressed sand, he is not sculpting the ceramic, but actually sculpting the sand itself, then using the ceramic to take a casting of the sand sculpture. Anyone who watches detective stories has seen how detectives take plaster casts of shoe impressions, this works the same way.
What I love about the process is the textures that Sylvestre achieves on the sculptures, the works look and feel like sand, compact sand. You can't help but pick them up and run your hands over them, these beautiful textured, tactile objects.
I'm always a sucker for tactile objects and when the textures of the sand casting are contrasted by the smooth shimmering pewter glazes, I'm hooked.
I've spoken before in previous posts about reinventing old techniques in the modern art landscape, I feel Sylvestre is doing just that and in doing so he introduces a whole new generation of young artists to the wonder and possibility of old techniques, keeping these skills alive. Not only keeping them alive, but breathing new life into them.
P.S I am lucky enough to have been gifted one these sculptures by the artist a couple of years ago, it has pride of place in my ceramic collection. Thank you Sylvestre.

Contact details for Sylvestre:
https://www.facebook.com/sylvestrem/about?lst=723332871%3A1731803137%3A1527013454
http://facebook.com/sylvestrem
cell number: subject to South African dialing code (+27) 078 702 5510