Painter : Punch Shabalala

Punch was born in 1969 in the Champagne Valley of the KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg and had the good fortune - when she was still a child - to be befriended by Bonnie Ntshalintshali, the legendary first artist at Ardmore.Punch's intense love of drawing and painting found expression during her school years.However, the year before matriculating she fell pregnant and left school.For a few years she stayed with her parents on the Ardmore farm where she was exposed to the creative work of many of her friends and family.

At the age of 20, Punch joined Fèe Halsted-Berning and Ardmore.Inspired by her colleagues, she soon developed her own special style: expertly blending flowers, insects, birds and animals into an exotic tapestry of colour.Her imaginative skill and her attention to detail have brought joy to collectors worldwide.Her diligence and talent ensure that her ceramics are always included in overseas exhibitions.This charming woman is one of four members elected by her peers to represent them on the Ardmore Excellence Fund.

In 1998 Punch accompanied Fèe and Bonnie Ntshalintshali to three German cities where exhibitions of Ardmore were organised by South African High Commissioner.

Exhibitions:
  • 1990 - Dominiscus Gallery, Johannesburg
  • 1990-1991 - NSA (Natal Society of Arts) Exhibition, Durban
  • 1991 - Natal Regional Ceramic Exhibition, Durban
  • 1992 - Natal Regional Ceramic Exhibition Durban
  • 1992-1997 - Gallery on Tyrone, Johannesburg
  • 1993 - RAU Regional Ceramic Exhibition, Johannesburg
  • 1994 - NSA Exhibition, Durban
  • 1995 - Africa Earthed, South African Biennial, Johannesburg The Spirit of our Stories, Print Exhibition. Grahamstown
  • 1997
    • Vita Crafts Now Exhibition, Pretoria
    • South African National Ceramic Show, Pretoria (Guest Artist)
    • Meklenberg Groote Schuur, Cape Town
    • State President's Guest House, Bryntirion Estate, Pretoria
    • Catalyst Gallery, Johannesburg
  • 1998
    • Long House, East Hampton, NY, USA
    • Running Ridge, USA
    • Exhibition SA Embassy Residence, Bonn, Germany
    • Marl Concert Hall, Marl, Germany
    • Exhibition Essen , Germany Exhibition Siegen , Germany '
    • Thyssen Forum Dusseldorf , Germany
    • Everard Reid Gallery and launch of the book Ardmore an African Discovery,Johannesburg
  • 1999
    • Labia, Muizenburg , Cape Town
    • Bordeaux St Gallery, Franshoek, Cape
    • Gallery on Tyrone, Johannesburg
  • 2000 - ABSA Bank, Johannesburg
  • 2001
    • International Ceramic Arts Festival, Wales
    • Hospice Exhibition, Johannesburg
    • S.A Embassy Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur , Mayalsia
  • 2002 - Charles Greig Jewelers.
  • 2003 - Christies London Exhibition.January
  • 2004
    • Christies London Auction.January
    • City Arts council.Edinburgh, Scotland
  • 2005 - Private Exhibition by S.A. High Commisioner 'Highveld,' High St , Kensington, London
Publications:
  • 1991- Contemporary Ceramics in South Africa ,Struik, Cape Town
  • 1998 - Ardmore an African Discovery, Fernwood Press, Cape Town