BIOGRAPHY
CHARMAINE HAINES
(b. 1963, Grahamstown, South Africa)
Throughout her work Charmaine Haines continue to explore her ongoing fascination for Ancient Cultures, African Artifacts and Medieval Iconic Art which embodies a broad interest in the history of the Arts and Crafts from ancient to industrial through a 21st century sensibility.
Working within the realm of figurative clay, Haines use both abstract and stylised symbols and motives to embellish the smooth and seductive clay surfaces, further enhancing the sculptural forms.
The embellished surface is influenced by simplified abstractions of nature together with colour, texture and simple gestural shapes create a rhythmic quality further enhancing the connection between the surface space and the volume of the form.
“Fish and birds have always been part of my iconography. Together with my portraits they've become autobiographical design elements that repeat themselves throughout my work adding both a narrative and mythical presence to the forms.
I cannot underestimate the effect on my work, having spent more than two decades in the Karoo Wilderness, a place of extremes where the weather has a major influence, creating an awareness of both life and death, where small things matter, often reflecting the spirit of the human condition.
It is in the remoteness of this prehistoric landscape and sympathetic environment that I found a renewed energy in my work which fired up my imagination and aspirations.”
Working primarily with vessels, the forms often evolve into sculptural works evident in Haines’s most recent sculptural pieces. The vessel forms reflect her intention to embrace familiar classical shapes, exploring the potential of the human form further representing the metaphor of the body as a vessel.
Simple shapes are altered to incorporate sculptural and semi-relief elements.
Coloured stains and natural oxide washes are used to further exemplify the manipulative and expressive quality of the clay surface, including carving and textures showing a strong sense of surface pattern through abstraction and symbolism.
CV
1983-1985.NH Dip Ceramic Design. Under the mentorship of Hylton Nel.
1987-2002.Lecturer Ceramic Design, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa.
1983-2013 Exhibited with Ceramics SA at Regional and National Level.
- Internationale Ceramique D’Art Biennale, Vallauris, France.
- Exhibition of South African Artists, Geneva, Switzerland.
1994. ‘’New Trends’’ – Art Hong Kong Cultural Programme.
1994. Crafts Council of South Africa Exhibition, SA Embassy, London.
1995. Johannesburg Biennale.‘’Africa Earth’’, Ceramic exhibition.
2000. Pavillion de la Creativite exhibition Finalist at the Salon International De l’Artisan at de Quagadougou,Burkino Faso representeing SA.
2001. September. Residency, International Ceramic Centre, Skaelskor, Denmark.
2002-2022. Professional Artist living and working in the Karoo Village of Nieu Bethesda. South Africa.
- Brett Kebble National Art Awards – Finalist. South Africa.
2004-2018. Klein Karoo National Arts Festival. Solo exhibitions – ‘etched in clay’-series.
2004-2015.National Arts Festival..Grahamstown. Solo Exhibitions
2005. Madiba Bay Studio Potters travelling exhibition.Netherlands.
2006. “A tribute to Picasso by Cape Artists”. Alliance Française Gallery. CapeTown. South Africa.
2006. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum Biennial Exhibition and Award Finalist. - Set up a studio in the South-West of France.
- ‘Homme Oiseau’ – Birdman. Solo exhibition. Espéchcde. France.2007/2008 - Collective exhibition. Gallery Artis Factum. Bordeaux.
Terra Viva Gallery. Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie. Gallery Fusion. Toulouse. Gallery Anagama. Paris. FRANCE.
- Solo exhibition. Associació Ceramistes de Catalunya Gallery. Barcelona. Spain.
- Talents from a European Journey Exhibition. Rufford Art centre. United Kingdom.
- Returned to Nieu Bethesda, South Africa.
- Made a Fellow of Ceramics Southern Africa in recognition of of contributions to Ceramics in South Africa.
- Finding the Narrative,Solo Exhibition. Kim Sacks Gallery. Johannesburg.
- Relocated studio to St Francis Bay.
- Ceramic Invitational- Shaping the Future of Contemporary Ceramics in South Africa’ exhibition. FADA Gallery. University of Johannesburg.
COLLECTIONS
Musee De Vallauris. Vallauris. France
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum. Port Elizabeth. South Africa.
National Art Gallery. Durban. South Africa.
Samlingen Art Collection. Denmark.
William Humphries Gallery. Kimberly. South Africa.
The Corobrik National Collection
PUBLICATIONS
Contemporary Ceramics South Africa .by Wilma Cruise
Art & Decoration. Sud- Quest. Sept, 2007. France
National Ceramics Quarterly. South Africa. 2008
TerrArt Revista Ceramics Contemporania. Spain. 2008.
National Ceramics. South Africa .Winter 2013 edition.
London Financial Times. May 2015.
House & Garden UK. December issue. 2020
World of Interiors. UK. Februray issue. 2021
