Shard Vase

Notes

"Working primarily in earthenware, it is my experience that earthenware, as a material, is often viewed as somewhat inferior to porcelain. These materials are not usually compatible. “Shard Vase” challenges this perception. Here earthenware is not subservient to porcelain, but actually bears and supports the porcelain shards. The one needing the other in order to function as a whole. In “Shard Vase” passion and obsession unite to find a balance between form, surface and structure. Making this work a perfect example of the challenge and emotional struggle it takes to create new work, but also the mere existence of this powerful energy that makes it so appealing to work with clay."

Hennie Meyer was born in 1965 and lives and works in Durbanville, Cape Town. He studied ceramics in Australia and South Africa. His practice is founded on the making of multiples – jugs, mugs, vases, teapots and bowls – which he frequently groups into installations, seeking a balance between form, surface and structure. Meyer received an Honourable Mention at the Third World Ceramic Biennale in Korea (2005), exhibited at Ceramic Art London from 2005 to 2010 and was selected for the Korean International Ceramic Biennale in 2009 and 2019. He was shortlisted for the Martinsons Award at the Latvia Ceramics Biennale (2021) and was an invited exhibitor at Homo Faber in Venice (2024). He curated the Corobrik National Ceramic Biennale (2018) and the inaugural South African Clay Awards (2024), and in 2026 took part in the International Academy of Ceramics congress exhibitions in Jingdezhen, China. Recent solo exhibitions include 400g at ArtFormes Gallery and Riven at Ebony Curated (both 2025). His work is held in numerous public and private collections in South Africa and abroad.

Exhibited

Homo Faber, Venice, The Journey of Life, 1 to 30 September 2024.