Ewuraba - Professional African Women with Class and Style

Ottilia Nxumalo was born on the 08th April 1962, in Ladysmith. Ottilia did her Primary School education at Peacetown, in Ladysmith, where she achieved her Standard 5. Ottilia  is married, and has 4 children.  She never worked before starting at Ardmore Ceramics Studio.

I heard about Ardmore from my aunt, Agnes Ntshalintshali, Paulina’s mother. “I came to ask Fee Halsted-Berning and she gave me a chance to try painting”. Ottilia’s favourite animal is the Zebra and the Giraffe.  Her favourite items to paint are Dishes and Bowls.  Her favourite colours are Chatreuse, pinks and oranges.

“I like my work, and wish to see it grow, because there is no other job I wish to do, and wish to see Ardmore grow up more, then what it is because of what I am, is because of Ardmore”.

Ottilia is a happy, loving woman.  Ottilia is a true colourist – her works are covered with design and colour, no white shows. Ottilia uses the impressionistic method of stipling colour and her bowls and dishes, to create depth of colour.  Her colours mix in the eye, and create vibrant energy.  Her drawing is of less importance to colour and naive.  Her works are vibrant and energetic.

Recent Exhibitions

• 2001
  • International Ceramics Festival, Wales
  • Hospice Exhibition,  Johannesburg
  • S.A. Embassy Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• 2002      
  • Charles Greig Jewellers, Johannesburg
• 2003      
  • Christies Exhibition, London
• 2004      
  • Christies Auction, London
  • City Arts Council, Edinburgh, Scotland
• 2005       
  • “Highveld” Private Exhibition of High Commissioner, Lindiwe Mbusa, London.     

source: Ardmore Cermaics Studio http://www.ardmoreceramics.co.za/