Artist
Bio
Thembi Doris Zikala was born on the 31st August 1965, in Durban. Thembi’s attended Emangweni Primary School for 7 years, and then onto High School for 2 years.
Thembi is married, and has 3 children. She worked at Sappi Forest for 1 year. Thembi heard about Ardmore from Ottilia Nxumalo. “One day I went to the studio and met many friends like Mavis Shabalala, and Sindy Ntshalintshali, they gave me brushes to try painting in 1991. Fee was not in the Studio on that day. When Fee came in on another day, she said “Carry On””.
Thembi’s favourite animal is the Zebra and the Guinea Fowl. Her favourite items to paint are Dishes and Candle Sticks.
Since Thembi started working at Ardmore there have been big changes in her life. “I always wish that God will keep us for longer time, and help us to grow and keep Ardmore growing.”
Thembi is a tall shy woman, but her works express an energy – She loves blues and ochres. Thembi enjoys painting gourde like bowls, and fully decorates her pieces. She works alongside Mavis Shabalala and Ottilia Nxumalo.
Exhibitions
1992
- Volkskas Exhibition, Durban
- The Natal Route , Ferguson Fine Art, Johannesburg
1995
- The Spirit of our Stories, Print Exhibition, Grahamstown
1992-1996
- Gallery on Tyrone, Johannesburg
1994
- Natal Society of Arts exhibition, Durban
1996
- Meklenberg Groote Schuur, Cape Town
1997
- State President's Guest House, Bryntirion Estate, Pretoria;
- Catalyst Gallery, Johannesburg;
1998
- Exhibition SA Embassy Residence, Bonn, Germany;
- Marl Concert Hall, Marl, Germany;
- Exhibition Essen, Germany Exhibition Siegen, Germany;
- Thyssen Forum Dusseldorf, Germany;
- Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg
1999
- Bordeaux St Gallery, Franschhoek, Cape;
- Gallery on Tyrone, Johannesburg
2000
- ABSA Bank, Johannesburg
2001
- International Ceramic Arts Festival, Wales;
- Hospice Exhibition, Johannesburg;
- SA Embassy Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2002
- Charles Greig Jewellers, Hyde Park, Johannesburg
2003
- Christie’s exhibition, London
2004
- Christie’s auction, London;
- City Arts Council, Edinburgh;
2005
- Private exhibition, High Commissioner, Highveld, London
- Christipher Greig, Hyde Park
2006
- Amaridian Gallery, New York;
- Private exhibition, High Commissioner, Highveld, London;
- Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg
2007
- Christie’s auction, London
- “Cats of the World”, Charles Greig, Johannesburg
2008
- Amaridian Gallery, New York;
- “Wonderful World of Ardmore”, Groote Schuur, Cape Town
2009
- South Africa House, London
2010
- Anagama Gallery, Versailles, France;
- Pascoe & Co, Florida, USA;
- SOFA (Sculpture Objects & Functional Art), Chicago;
- “Travellers of Africa”, Charles Greig, Hyde Park, Johannesburg;
2011
- “Ivory and Ebony”, Cellars-Hohenort, Cape Town;
- “Clay: The Art of Earth & Fire”, Tremaine Gallery, Connecticut, USA;
- Hallwyl Museum, Stockholm, Sweden
- NAADA (National Antiques & Decorative Arts) Faire, Johannesburg
- Eboka Spring Collection, Pretoriaance
2012
- International Ceramic Show, Ed Pascoe West Palm Beach, USA
- "Ardmore Aviary" Cellars Hohenhort, Cape Town
- Les Ceramiques Zouloues Ardmore, Paris
- "Endangered Animals" Exhibition, Patrick Mavros, London
- An African Collection, The Milk Factory Gallery, Bowral, Australia
- Naada Faire Antiques and Collectables, Johannesburg
- Fabric and Book Launch: "Ardmore, We Are Because of Others," Hermanus
- Fabric and Book Launch: "Ardmore, We Are Because of Others,"Cellars Hohenhort, Cape Town
- "Grand Carnival," Fabric and Book Launch: "Ardmore, We Are Because of Others," Charles Greig, Hyde Park, Johannesburg
- Ardmore in Luxembourg
- Ardmore in Mauritius, P.G. Mavros, Terre Rouge
- Ardmore in Beaune, France
- Ardmore in Geneva Patrick Mavros Christmas Safari Week, London
- A Celebration of Zulu Life and Artistry, St Louis, USA
- Ardmore Australia, Sydney