Detailed List of Retreats
Shape The Clay And Mould The Mind
This is a two-day hands-on workshop in which we explore the meditative qualities of repeat-action and pattern-making through clay.You will learn the technique of “wedging” which engages the body by rolling and folding the clay into itself. This is an exercise in preparation - setting out our intentions and making sure our raw material is ready to be moulded into a medium for our creativity. We will make small pinch pots, which will be fired and ready to take home at the end of your stay. When clay is deftly handled, magic happens! The evenings will end with calming down the mind in meditation and mindfulness with Louis.
Natasha Hawley was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg. She attained Honours in fine art from the University of KwaZulu-Natal where she is currently working towards her Masters degree. During her Honours year, she experimented using glazes to grow crystalline formations on hand built vessels. She is using her Masters as an opportunity to explore vessel-making using discarded materials with the intention to create more sustainable ways of working within a ceramic’s studio. She has a special interest in alternative firing and one of her favourite methods is Raku because of the instant gratification and unique decoration produced from the interaction of fire, smoke and water. She exhibited work in theJack Heath Gallery in 2013 and 2015 and participated in the Tatham Gallery’s annual event The Fabulous Picture Show. Her work has appeared in the Ceramics South Africa magazine and in the arts and crafts section of The Natal Witness.