5 Emerging Creatives To Look Out For at Design Indaba #2: Ash Ceramics

INTERVIEWED BY Malibongwe Tyilo

Catherine Ash’s multi-coloured geometric ceramics caught our eye this week. She has just been selected as one of the 40 Emerging Creatives who will showcase their work as part of Design Indaba’s annual Expo.

The Cape Town-based Bachelor of Arts graduate also has her own company, Ash Ceramics, through which she creates once-off pieces. In between the buzz and preparations for Design Indaba, we caught up with her to ask a few questions.

How would you describe, in your own words, what you do? 

I consider myself a ceramic artist, since I build, mould, paint and create things with the medium of ceramics. This includes small, fun tableware items, like bowls and plates, as well as bigger sculptural pieces. Most recently, I have started a series of ceramic wall installations.

What do you think sets your work apart?

I design and hand-make every aspect of my work, and it is evident in the subtle handmade aesthetic. I don’t mass-produce any of my pieces. Even though a few variations of some of my work exist, each one is unique. I also think my colourful geometric designs are quite distinctive.

What does it mean for you to be selected as one of Design Indaba’s Emerging Creatives?

I am very pleased to be selected as an Emerging Creative. I have been attending Design Indaba for the past few years and I cannot believe it is my turn to show my work this year. Being at Design Indaba is such a wonderful opportunity to showcase my work to the best of the design industry. I believe that this is just the start of more collaborations and growth in creativity.

Any plans we should know about for the near future?

There are always so many plans that need to take shape. I am busy focusing on making some bigger sculptural work as well as taking my ceramic wall installations to the next level. There is also talk about collaborating with a few projects, but I can’t talk about that just yet…

In your chosen field, who do you rate?

I have always loved Hylton Nel, and most recently I have been admiring Madoda Fani’s work.

View more of Catherine’s work at ashceramics.co.za.

Come back next week for #3 of our Emerging Creatives to watch. Missed the others? You’ll find the rest of our interviews right here.

Click here for the full list of this year’s Emerging Creatives.