A new ceramics exhibition at Spier Wine Farm is inviting South Africans to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what it means to feel rooted. Titled Grounded Practice, the group show opened on 26 May at Spier’s Old Wine Cellar and features 63 ceramic artworks by 42 artists from across the country.
Curated by Tamlin Blake, Chief Curator at the Spier Arts Trust, the exhibition explores themes of balance, sustainability and belonging – themes that emerged organically from the artist submissions.
“What came through overwhelmingly was a sense of instability – politically, emotionally, environmentally,” says Blake. “Many artists were using clay as a way to re-establish a sense of footing, to find their way back to centre.”
Central to the exhibition is the material itself. Clay, Blake explains, is a powerful metaphor for both vulnerability and strength: soft and malleable in its raw form, but permanent and resilient once fired. “Working with clay is soothing and meditative,” she says. “It’s a way for many artists to feel grounded again. It holds emotion, history, and healing.”
This tactile connection to the earth also speaks to broader questions of environmental stewardship – a message that resonates deeply at Spier, where sustainability is a core value. From regenerative farming practices and wetland rehabilitation to a commitment to zero waste-to-landfill, Spier’s relationship with the land is central to its philosophy. Grounded Practice mirrors that ethos, offering a creative reflection on what it means to live and create sustainably in an age of uncertainty.
The exhibition also underscores Spier’s longstanding commitment to the arts. With one of the largest collections of contemporary South African art, Spier believes that art, like food and wine, is best when shared. Through platforms like the Spier Arts Trust, the farm supports local artists with mentorships, exhibitions, and commissions, helping them build sustainable careers and reach wider audiences. “We believe in the power of the visual arts to teach, provoke, and connect,” says Blake. “Grounded Practice is very much a part of that mission.”
While the exhibition offers something for collectors, design lovers, and casual visitors alike, Blake highlights a few standout artists who embody the show’s spirit in powerful ways. Sinethemba Xola’s work, for instance, is deeply spiritual and meditative, offering a form of escape and healing through the act of making. Anita Sikutshwa draws on African mythology and the unseen spiritual world in her abstract forms, describing her creative process as a form of therapy in motion. Sylvester Zanoxolo Mqeku uses a sand-casting technique to leave delicate imprints that symbolise humanity’s interaction with the earth.
“Ceramics often don’t get the spotlight they deserve,” says Blake. “But this show proves just how thoughtful, innovative and emotionally resonant the medium can be.”
Exhibition Details
Location: The Old Wine Cellar, Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch
Dates: 26 May – 14 September 2025
Opening Hours: Daily, 09:00 – 17:00
Entry: Free
