collection no.1

Ardmore Design and Ceramics

Ardmore is a thriving artist community creating unique ceramics in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands of South Africa. The studio was founded by Fée Halsted in 1985 when she moved to a remote farm in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains and began teaching local people how to model and paint pottery. Originally Fée worked with Bonnie Ntshalintshali, the daughter of the farm’s housekeeper. They quickly developed a creative synergy and their collaboration drew national attention when they won the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist award in 1990. Soon Bonnie’s family and friends were drawn to Ardmore to learn from Fée and earn a living creating ceramic art.

There are now more than 60 Zulu and Zimbabwean artists working in collaboration at Ardmore under Fee’s guidance. Two or three artists are involved in each piece, which is individually thrown on the potter’s wheel, modelled and hand-painted. Each piece is unique and masterpieces can take several months to complete. Energetic movement, intricate detailing and vibrant colour defines the Ardmore aesthetic. Safari animals burst with life from luxuriant foliage to form quirky vases, candlesticks, tureens and teapots. There are also exciting forms of sculptural art based on Zulu folklore and tribal traditions. The sale of these wonderful works uplifts and supports the Ardmore community and their families as the artists are paid per piece and have a guaranteed market for their endeavours.

Since 2010, the fantasy world of Ardmore has been translated into a range of fabric designs, which have been made into tablecloths, napkins and runners. Stylish ladies’ handbags featuring the flora and fauna of Africa have been followed by sophisticated silk scarves by Hermès, the luxury French design house. The ideas of a new generation are now making an impact at Ardmore with Fee’s children Jonathan, Catherine and Megan Berning working with young sculptors and painters, including children of the original Ardmore artists.

Community Spirit

The notion of community lies at the heart of Ardmore. They are a community of artists, and we have deep roots in their local society. It is a deeply connected by a shared values system. One built on generations of trust and respect. Each Ardmore creation could only have come from this unique setting: the villages of the Natal Midlands, where traditions run deep but innovation is prized as people seek new ways to express their identities, hopes and dreams.

Forever young

Ardmore’s artists work in an environment of family, where each individual’s skill is recognised and rewarded. The wisdom of the elders together with the courage of younger people is the energy that will sustain us into the future – our artists are quite literally a force of Nature. Ardmore ceramic art is often given as state gifts to visiting leaders and luminaries to South Africa. Queen Elizabeth II was presented with an Ardmore bowl by the President of South Africa and there is an Ardmore masterpiece in the White House. Collectors have been seduced by the wit and whimsy of Ardmore designs and they particularly value the fact that each piece is unique. Christie’s auction house has acknowledged Ardmore artworks as “modern day collectibles”. Exhibitions of Ardmore are held in art galleries around the world and represented in public collections, such as the Museum of Art & Design in New York and the Museum of Cultures in Basel.

Ardmore design and ceramics, originating in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, are found in major collections all over the world but have never before been available in Germany. The exquisitely handcrafted and highly detailed figurative works have been given as state gifts to Bill Clinton, Jacques Chirac, Queen Elizabeth II and Empress Michiko of Japan among others and are treasured in galleries, museums and art auctions all over the world.

50 Zulu artists create Ardmore ceramics on a farm at the foot of the impressive Drakensberg Mountains. The driving force behind the enterprise is Fée Halsted whose love of teaching and determination to fight poverty has set others on the path of creative self-discovery and ultimately worldwide acclaim. The story began in 1985 when Fée Halstead discovered her given talent for ceramics art. Soon, aspiring South African artists from far and wide joined her, using unusual technics and never-before tested colours.

Today, Ardmore Ceramics tells a story far deeper than simple ceramics. It is a lasting testimony of traditional skills merging with western technology creating truly unique divine design.

Ardmore Design brings this creativity into the home through silks, linens and velvet, creating a rich excitement to any room. All Ardmore fabric produced in 100% luxurious cotton.