CERAMIC MATTERS
DERANGED ARRANGEMENTS

Anthony Harris and Gerhard Swart met in 1977 and have been collaborating since 1997 as “Ceramic Matters”. Since then, the duo has become internationally recognised as two of the finest artist/potters working anywhere. They have always overlapped the line between function and design and they have blurred the distinctions between pots and conceptual art. 
Anthony was diagnosed with cancer in March 2020 and, sadly, passed away on the 13th of December 2020. 

This exhibition celebrates an extraordinary partnership in that it combines early work by the duo as well as individual works made over a period of years. 

Their recent work “concerns the representation of our traditions, personal interest, our 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.”

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS AND CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2022       Deranged Arrangements, Everard Read at Leeu Estates, Leeu Estates, Franschhoek

2021       Knysna Fine Art

               Long Table, Exhibition with Gregor Jenkin at SMAC Gallery

                Risqué / Riskant, Saronsberg Kunsteater Tulbagh

2019       Verban Verbied, Breytenbach Gallery

                Dubbelhandig, Woordfees Stellenbosch

                Hermanus Fine Art

                Bon Esperance Gallery in Paris, France.

2018       7 Deadly Sins, Everard Read Franschhoek

                Boys Don’t Wear Pink, Knysna Fine Art

2016      Matter/Stof, Breytenbach Gallery Wellington

               Miami/Basel Art Fair, Southern Guild

               Dennis Hotz Installation, Franschhoek

               Twee Jongen Gesellen Wine Farm Installation, Tulbagh

               Designs for launch of Leopolt 7 from Belgium

               3 new Product designs for West Elm, New York

               New range of samples for Sir Terence Conran at Conran Shop, London.

               Vases for Conran Shop Hong Kong

               Lebombo, sculptures for Cecile & Boyd, suites and reception areas.

               One & Only, Mauritious and Dubai, Ceramic designs and drawings.

               Robertson Hotel, Abigail Rand, Ceramic tables

               Woordfees Stellenbosch, Food installation for “Gebak” exhibition.

               Knysna Fine Art Gallery

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

               Cecile & Boyd, sculptures for Lodge

2014      Design Indaba

               Southern Guild Show, Outlook Cape Town

               Southern Guild Gallery Opening

               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

2012     New York Gift Fair

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

2010      New Conran Range for March 2010-01-29, for seven Conran Outlets.

               Feature Wall Installation - HORNER ASSOCIATE ARCHITECTS  Pr. Arch (SA) Durban

               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

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

                Hartmann & Keppler – Guest Artist - Christmas Dinner Exhibit.

                Top Billing Magazine October feature on Ceramic Matters and House.

                Dossier Fashion Magazine October Feature on Ceramic Matters

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.

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, Franschhoek. Grande Provence Estate. Exhibition with Vernon Swart. 

2006     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”

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.

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.

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.

2001    Decorex Elle Décor Stand – SA Design Product.

             Absolut Vodka Design for a coaster.

2000    Exhibition at Saint Verde Autumn Collection

             Exhibition at Bright House Gallery with” Twiice International”.

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

1998    House and Leisure Article on Ceramic Matters.

             Decorex House and Leisure Stand by Ceramic Matters and Hoy p’Loy.

MEDIA FEATURES                    

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”.

COMMISSIONS

• Large 5 meter Chandeliers made for a Casino finished in an “old cast iron” finish
• 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
• Absolut Vodka Design
• African Challenge Soccer Trophy
• FCB / Lindsay Smithers Trophy
• Gensec Awards (Trophy)
• Incredible Connection
• Pendoring Awards
• Sanlam Awards (Trophy)
• Toyota Awards (Trophy)
• Vodacom and Vodac