Ceramic Matters
Ceramic Matters was established in 1997. Anthony and Gerhard studied together at the Johannesburg Art College. Their respective backgrounds in Fine Art, Printmaking and Ceramics, forms a good bases for the designing and manufacturing at Ceramic Matters.
Their Latest work concerns the representation of their traditions, personal interest, their history and present environment, incorporating the natural and domestic. The work consists of units/modules that embrace a creative idea. The elements work together to enhance or depict.
Exclusive designs for specific projects are often commissioned – i.e.
Large 5-meter Chandeliers made for a Casino finished in an “old cast iron” finish OR work done in the Da Vinci Hotel for International Designer Stephan Falcke giving us “Artistic. Licence” to design work within the parameters of his “Black & White, 1960’s, Retro” theme.
Apart from the range of decorative ceramics Ceramic Matters also produces. Corporate and promotional ware: Absolut Vodka Design for a coaster
African Challenge Soccer Trophy
FCB / Lindsay Smithers Trophy
Gensec Awards (Trophy)
Incredible Connection
Pendoring Awards
Sanlam Awards (Trophy)
Toyota Awards (Trophy)
Vodacom and Vodac
1998
House and Leisure Article on Ceramic Matters.
Decorex House and Leisure Stand by Ceramic Matters and Hoy p’Loy.
1999
“National Design” Award sponsored by “House and Leisure Magazine” and “Buy Africa”.
Decorex House and Leisure Stand by Ceramic Matters and Hoy p’Loy.
2000
Exhibition at Saint Verde Autumn Collection – May 2000.
Exhibition at Bright House Gallery with” Twiice International”.
2001
Decorex Elle Décor Stand – SA Design Product.
November. Absolut Vodka Design for a coaster.
2002
“Corobrik” purchased a Ceramic Matters Piece, (to be housed at the Pretoria Art Museum), “African Earth Exhibition”.
Krysia Back for SA House Decorex - Feature Products.
Featured in “Craft Art in SA” by Dr Elbe Coetsee.
Featured in “Bloom” Magazine 04.
Decorex Plascon Stand - Feature Products.
2003
Cover of “South” – book by Karen Roos and Annemarie Meintjes.
Conde Nast – Feature article on Ceramic Matters.
Rooms on View - Conde Nast Stand – Hubert Zandberg Designs.
National Ceramics No 63 – Feature Article on Ceramic Matters.
November - “International Design Award” ELLE Decoration.
Botanical Laboratory Work shown at The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art New York – Saint Verde.
2005
April - The Conran Shop orders ware for all their shops in London, Tokyo, Paris and New York for the “Viva Africa” exhibition in September 2005.
July - “The French Connection” – Liberties of London and Saint Verde.
UK Elle Décor – Featured Ceramic Matters.
UK Elle Décor – Feature Ceramic Matters for “Viva Africa” Exhibition.
November - House and Leisure – Feature Ceramic Matters.
2006 and 2007
Invited to show work on South Africa House – Rooms on View.
“Ceramic Matters cc work best on show” – House and Leisure Magazine.
Liz Morris editor Conde Nast: “the Ceramic Matters guys exude a passion for their craft plus they are our hottest talents with the coolest attitude”.
American Designer Geoffrey Bradfield “Ceramic Matters - Products and Decor of the future,”
2007
Design Indaba. Finalists in the “Most Desirable Object in SA 2007”
ELLE Deco International Award “Best Ceramic Tabletop and Accessories”. (EDIDA Award)
ELLE Fashion – feature on Ceramic Matters.
“Designers of the Year” – Judged by Li Edelkoord and VISI Magazine
June - Designed VISI stand for Rooms on View, showcasing Ceramic Matters work.
Rooms on View, work featured on Africa House.
July - Object/Voorwerp Exhibition at Association of Arts Pretoria.
Decorex ELLE Magazine Stand Featured Designer Wall.
July - Dorpstraat Gallery, Franschook. Grande Provence Estate. Exhibition with Vernon Swart.
2008
Judges for “Designer of the Year” – VISI.
Chosen as one of 12 international Designers by Sir Terence Conran to exhibit work at his Book Launch / Exhibition “Inspirations” at 4 International Stores. London, Paris, New York and Hong Kong.
October - “Picasso would have been an inspiration to us all and so is your work” – Sir Terence Conran.
Rooms on View Feature light for Krysia Back Interiors Plascon Stand.
Decorex Product Featured on SA DTI Stand.
Wall Mural for Count and Countess Von Saurma’s wine farm in the Cape.
2009
Judges for “Designer of the Year” – VISI.
One and Only Hotel – One-Off Pieces for Designer Peter Lu New York
Monarch Hotel Lighting.
Design Indaba Product featured on South Africa Stand.
April - Southern Guild Fine Art Show, Johannesburg.
In-flight SAA Buyers Catalogue Featuring Ceramic Matters products.
September - Trade Leaders Club, Madrid – International Award for Excellence and Service.
Tokara Wine Estate, Olive Shed Interior – G T Ferreira and Marilynn McDowell.
October - Featured in coffee table book “Hot Afro” by Craig Fraser. Pages 76, 77, 78, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85.
Hartmann & Keppler – Guest Artist - Christmas Dinner Exhibit.
Top Billing Magazine October feature on Ceramic Matters and House. Pages 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96.
Dossier Fashion Magazine October Feature on Ceramic Matters Pages 191, 192, 913 and 194.
2010
New Conran Range for March 2010-01-29 – for seven Conran Outlets.
Feature Wall Installation - HORNER ASSOCIATE ARCHITECTS Pr. Arch (SA) Durban
October - New O R Tambo Building - SAA first class Ortia Lounge – Ceramic Screen Wall.
Da Vinci Hotel Sandton. - Wall installations, Lighting and object . . .
Anthropologi USA – New range of Vessels.
VISI Magazine 50th issue. Vote our ‘inflatable’ Teddy as one of the 50 best International Designs in the past 12 years. Food, Wine and Design Fair. Johannesburg
2011
Constitutional Hill Monument for the first 180 Women in Parliament since 1994.
Vicente Wolf – New York Building Lobby Entrance.
Judges for “Designer of the Year” – VISI.
Exhibition at Labia in Cape Town.
2012
Moved to Wellington, Western Cape
New York Gift Fair
2013
Design Indaba
Southern Guild Heavy Metal Exhibition
Art Basel with Southern Guild
Breytenbach Gallery – Polfeintjies vir die Proe
Is Art Franschhoek
2014
Design Indaba
Southern Guild Show – Outlook Cape Town
Southern Guild Gallery Opening
New York Gift Fair
2015
Vicente Wolf – Hotel in Machau
Southern Guild Ceramic Exhibition
Cape Epic Exhibition – Breytenbach Gallery
Strand Hotel – Swakopmund
Cat Exhibition Lutge Gallery
Design Miami with Southern Guild
Wiid Design Studio Opening
TV, Radio, News Paper and other multimedia excluding magazines
2001
Radio SA Interview regarding Exhibition with” Twiice International” at Bright House.
2002
Video shown at The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art New York – Saint Verde.
“Kyk Net” Documentary on Ceramic Matters.
2006
Top Billing feature on Ceramic Matters based on work at SA House Stand.
Daily Mail Article on Ceramic Matters – Tattooed and pierced skulls.
Jennifer Crwys-Williams Interview concerning work on SA House Stand.
Business Day Wanted – November “Most Wanted Gifts”.
2007
Designer of the Year Radio Interview RSG Radio.
TV Documentary “Inside Africa” showing Ceramic Matters studio and environment.
Business Day Wanted - July 2007.
2008
Financial Times, London, article on “Inspiration” Exhibition at The Conran Shop.
2009
Jennifer Crwys-Williams Interview concerning work on Southern Guild stand at Jhb. Fine Art Fair.
Sundance Channel (USA) and Man Shops Globe host Keith Johnson documentary on SA Craft.
Sunday Times on Ceramic Matters.
Business Day Wanted – March - Article on Ceramic Matters.
Business Day Wanted – May – “Market Related”.
Business Day Wanted – November – “Most Wanted Gift”.