Sculptor : Josephine Ghesa

Josephine Ghesa was born in 1958 in Lesotho . An orphan, Ghesa was raised by her grandmother, a traditional potter in the village of Thaba Tseka , in Lesotho . She had no formal education when she arrived at Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio in 1990. There, under the tutelage of Fee Halsted-Berning she was taught the basic techniques of coiling and constructing forms from clay. Ghesa showed a pronounced aptitude for sculpture and was encouraged to persue her own particular vision. Within six months, her clay figures were purchased by two major South Afri can galleries. Unique, and at times haunting, Ghesa's work was described by Chicago University Dean Carol Bekker as "some of the strongest work I've seen ".

Ghesa combines animal and human forms into sculptures that blend the legends of her S'otho childhood with her own highly personalized mythology. She coils her forms using a terra-cotta clay body fired to 1200 degrees and then finished with a variety of media from oil paint to boot polish. Her work is represented in major South African collections as well as private collections throughout Europe , Africa , and the United .States. Joesphine Ghesa is single and has six children.

Collections:
  • Johannesburg Art Gallery
  • Carnegie Gallery, Newcastle
  • University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg
  • Tatham Collection, Pietermaritzburg
  • Corobrik Collection, Pietermaritzburg
  • South African Airways
  • SASOL, Johannesburg
  • Durban Gallery
  • Bloemfontein National Gallery
  • Cape National
  • ABSA Collection
  • Long House Reserve, East Hampton , NY , USA
Awards:
  • 1985
    • Natal Arts Trust Special Award
  • 1987
    • Corona del Mar Young Artist's Award
  • 1988
    • Corobrik;/Tatham award
  • 1990
    • Standard Bank Young Artists Award
    • Sculpture Prize, Regional Ceramics Exhibition, Natal
  • 1993
    • Merit Award, Natal Biennial
  • 2003
    • Claybodies, Pretoria
    • Brett Kebbel Award C.Tarn
Exhibitions:
  • 1990
    • Dominicus Gallery, Johannesburg
    • NSA ( Natal Society of Arts) Gallery, Durban
  • 1991
    • Regional Ceramic Exhibition, Durban NSA Gallery, Durban
  • 1992-1996
    • Gallery on Tyrone, Johannesburg
    • Regional Ceramic Exhibition, Pietermaritzburg
  • 1993
    • Regional Ceramic Exhibition, Durban
    • Cameo Gallery Stellenbosch
  • 1994 
    • NSA Gallery, Durban
    • Carnegie Gallery, Newcastle
  • 1995
    • Africa Earthed, South African Biennial, Johannesburg
  • 1996
    • Jack Heath Gallery, Pietermaritzburg (solo exhibition)
  • 1997
    • Meklenberg,Groote Schuur,Cape Town
    • State Presidents Guest house,Bryntirion Estate, Pretoria
    • Catalyst Gallery Johannesburg
  • 1998
    • S.A. Embassy Res.Bonn , Germany
    • Long House Foundation East Hampton ,NY, USA Running Ridge , USA
    • Running Ridge, USA
    • Marl Concert Hall,GER
    • Essen ,GER
    • Siegen , GER
    • Thyssen Forum Dusseldorf ,GER
    • Everard Reid Gallery and launch of book Ardmore an African Discovery, Johannesburg
  • 1999
    • Bordeaux St Gallery, Franshoek, Cape Town
    • Anglo Zulu war/ Prince Imperial show Standard Bank JHB
    • Anglo Zulu war/ Prince Imperial show Tatham Gallery PMB
  • 2000
    • ABSA Bank, JHB
  • 2003
    • Earthwork / Claybodies, Pretoria Museum
    • Brett Kebbel Award, Cape Town

 

Publications:
  • 1985
    • Cape Town Triannual Catalogue
  • 1987
    • "Warm Journal" by Dina Cormick
  • 1988
    • Ceramics Quarterly, No.5 ,Who is Fèe H.Berning?
  • 1991
    • Contemporary Ceramics in South Africa , Struik, Cape Town
    • Your Family.Page 156. "Image Maker"
  • 1995
    • Sasol Collection, Johannesburg
  • 1996
    • Flying Sprinkbok "Innocence and Air"
  • 1998
    • Ardmore an African Discovery, Fernwood Press, Cape Town
  • 2001
    • Ceramics Monthly, November.
  • 2001
    • Decade of Young Artists.10 Years of Standard Bank young artist award.