Artists We Love: Gemma Orkin

INTERVIEW Michaela Stehr IMAGES courtesy of Chandler House

We chat with ceramic artist Gemma Orkin about Bugs Life, her latest exhibition of painted ceramic insects on show at Chandler House in Cape Town.

Tell us a bit of background about yourself?

I come from a family of artists and have been doing ceramics for 30 years with a degree in fine arts majoring in print-making. I make functional and semi-functional high-fired stoneware. Over the span of my career, I have been fortunate enough to build up a good business both locally and abroad and make my passion my career. I have always been drawn to the old-fashioned charm of ceramics, the creamy glazes, traditional functional forms and the fact that ceramics speak for themselves. They are uncomplicated, timeless and beautiful.

What inspired your current exhibition?

I have a love of nature and the effortless balance of colour and design. I have always focussed mainly on birds and flowers but a collaborative meeting of minds and some inspiration from Michael Chalder brought forth this collection of bugs and insects. The more I researched the madness of design and colour found on insects the more excited and inspired I became while creating each story. This is also the first time I have been so bold with colour.

Do you have a favourite bug?

Not necessarily but I loved the process of discovering each one’s unique beauty.

What does a regular day look like for you?

I’m a workaholic, I am in my studio at 7:30 am and paint until 9 pm at night. I work 6 days a week and aside from my family, I eat, sleep and dream ceramics.

What is the process for creating a piece?

All my work is handmade and hand-painted by me. Each piece is built up with coils, shaped, allowed to dry and then painted with colour and illustrated. Then the 4-day firing process starts.

What are your plans for the future?

I am turning 50 in November which for me is an achievement, having done the same thing for 30 years and still waking up every morning excited about my work and going to sleep at night excited to start the day again and repeat the same process. I still get extremely excited when new opportunities come along like my bug exhibition at Chandler House. So I am hoping for the future that each day stays exactly as it is now.

Any local artists you’re currently coveting?

Definitely my son Ben Orkin who shares a mutual passion for ceramics.

For more information gemmaorkin.co.za.

Looking for more on local art? Take a look at all the local virtual exhibitions, here.