LONDON — Hylton Nel‘s upcoming solo show For Use and Display (May 23 – June 14, 2017) at The Fine Art Society is his fourth such exhibition which will feature his characteristic whimsical, erotic and satirical ceramic works, making pointed, yet often humorous, references to his personal concerns as well as those of the world at large.
A self described ‘artist-potter’, Nel’s ceramics are at once decorative and utilitarian: objects to be admired as much as they are to be handled.
Over the past four decades, Nel has developed a visual language rich in references to the decorative arts, literary and art historical sources, in addition to autobiographical references to his own life in South Africa. Illustrating his playful sense of humour, Nel’s line drawings range from sexual imagery of the male nude, to surreal motifs of cats and mermaids, and even religious references to the Madonna and Adam and Eve. He parallels this imagery with written script taken from poetry, novels, children’s stories, folk law and the daily press.
Hylton Nel, Glaze, ceramic. Click for larger image
Hylton Nel, Glaze, ceramic. Click for larger image
Hylton Nel, Queer Life Style vase, 2013, Glaze, ceramic, 11 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches. Click for larger image
Nel’s brightly decorated figurines are reminiscent of the familiar English pottery of Staffordshire and Wedgwood, as well as European maiolica, and Delftware. Less familiar influences of Chinese Tang Dynasty miniatures, archeological artefacts, and Greek and Etruscan ceramics can be observed in his range of Garniture vases, to which he adds a contemporary edge to a method of production that has gone unchanged for centuries.
Hylton Nel, Coral Blue Man Sculpture, 2015, Glaze, ceramic, 9 1/2 x 3 1/3 inches. Click for larger image
About the artist: Born in Zambia in 1941, Nel was raised on a farm in the Northern Cape, South Africa. After studying fine art at Rhodes University, Grahamstown between 1961 and 1965, he began to work with ceramics; studying in Antwerp for two years, at Royal Academy of Fine Arts, before moving to England in 1969, where he ran an antiques shop in London.
After returning to South Africa in the 70’s, Hylton took up teaching at Port Elizabeth Technikon, whilst also focusing more time on his art. He currently lives on the outskirts of Calitzdorp, a small town in the Klein Karoo. His work is found in many collections in South Africa, including those of the Durban Art Gallery; King George VI Art Gallery, Port Elizabeth; South African National Gallery, Cape Town; Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg; William Humphreys Art Gallery,Kimberley; and the Corobrik Collection in the Pretoria Art Museum.
Text (Edited) from The Fine Art Society.
Do you love or loathe this exhibition of contemporary ceramic art? Let us know in the comments.
Hylton Nel, Green Twin Spotty Cats, 2013, Glaze, ceramic, 15 x 11 inches. Click for larger image
Hylton Nel, Green Spotty Cat, 2013, Glaze ceramics, 16 x 7 1/2 inches. Click for larger image
Hylton Nel, Cat with Pope’s shoes, 2013, Glaze, ceramic, 16 1/2 x 8.5 inches. Click for larger image
Hylton Nel, Hidden Secrets Cat 3, 2013, Glaze, ceramics, 14 x 7 1/2 inches. Click for larger image
Hylton Nel, Glaze, ceramic.
I adore his work! I am simply intrigued by his skill, whimsy, originality. All the ceramic artists I know take themselves too seriously, consequently not creating anything as original as Mr. Nel’s work. I may never see his work in person, but am glad to know it exists.
Hylton Nel, a good friend, at the pinnacle of a ceramic-making career spanning more than 50 years. May there be consolation in these finely crafted works.