Ewuraba - Professional African Women with Class and Style

Bonnie Ntshalintshali was born on Ardmore Farm in the Winterton district of KwaZulu Natal in 1967. In 1985, she apprenticed Fèe Halsted-Berning (founder Ardmore Ceramics Studio) of  as a studio assistant. While learning basic ceramic techniques, Ntshalintshali's natural ability in both sculpture and painting was quickly recognized and she was encouraged by Halsted-Berning to pursuer her own work.

In 1988, Ntshalintshali received the Corobrik National Ceramic Award. In 1990, she won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award jointly with Halsted Berning. That same year, 1990, she spent a term at the University of Natal , Pietermaritzburg, studying under Juliet Armstrong and Ian Calder. In 1991, the Standard Bank commissioned a series of original prints from its award winning artists. Using her own sculpture as inspiration, Bonnie produced a series o f original silk-screens which were shown that year at the Print festival in Grahamstown.

Ntshalintshali constructs her complex pieces by coiling or building from solid forms. Fired to 1200 degrees, the work is then richly and meticulously decorated. Many of Ntshalintshali's sculptures draw inspiration from her early mission school education. Biblical tales are retold with simplicity and candour. A hallmark of Ntshalintshali's work is her narrative piling of elements, or vertical storytelling. Her pieces combine a strong Zulu tradition with her own imaginative response to western imagery. "Her narrative flows richly," wrote Archille Bonito Oliva, Director of the Visual Arts Section of the 1993 Venice Biennial, "There are still many stories to be told. "

Bonnie Ntshalitshali's work is represented in major collections throughout South Africa , the United States and the United Kingdom. In 1992, she exhibited at the Seville Expo in Spain. In 1993, her work was shown at the Venice Biennial in the Aperto Exhibition which travelled to Rome and Amsterdam. In 1995, she exhibited at the South African Biennial in Johannesburg. Ntshalintshali's work is represented in public and private collections throughout Africa , Europe and the United States. Bonnie Ntshalintshali was a single parent and is survived by one child. 1998 Bonnie traveled for the first time ever to Europe and Germany with Moses Nqubuka, Punch Shabalala and Fèe Halsted-Berning. They exhibited at the S.A Embassy Ball AV Co in Essen Sigen, Germany attending state dinners. She attended the launch of the Book Ardmore An African Discovery in Johannesburg at the Everard Reid gallery in 1998. Due to ill health in 1999, Bonnie began working from home. She completed the "Shaka" sculpture for the Anglo Zulu War Prince Imperial Exhibition. Which was exhibited in the Johannesburg Standard Bank Gallery. November 16 1999 Bonnie died of HIV related causes. Bonnie was buried at her home on the Ardmore farm.

Awards

• 1988 - Corobrik National Ceramic Award
• 1990 - Standard Bank Young Artist Award
• 1993 - Natal Trust Biennial Merit Award
• 1996 - Telkom, Art and the Internet Award

Recent Exhibitions

• 1998 
  • Long House, East Hampton , NY , USA
  • Running Ridge , USA
  • Exhibition SA Embassy Residence, Bonn , Germany
  • AV Coe in Huls Marl , Germany
  • Exhibition Essen , Germany
  • Exhibition Siegen , Germany
  • Thyssen Forum Dusseldorf , Germany
  • Daimler Chrysler Stuttgard, Germany
  • Everard Reid Gallery and launch of the book
  • Ardmore an African Discovery, Johannesburg
• 1999 
  • Labia, Muizenburg, Cape Town (Prince Imperial & Anglo Zulu War Exhibitions)
  • Standard Bank, Johannesburg
  • Tartham Art Gallery , Pietermaritzburg
  • Gallery on Tyrane, Rosabank.???
• 2000
  • Memorial exhibition, Tatham Art Gallery , Pietermaritzburg
• 2001 
  • Memorial exhibition, Standard Bank Gallery, Johannesburg

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