Zizamele Blog

This Sunday 27 April I will be leaving for South Korea with an official trade delegation representing the creative industries (craft) from South Africa. We are staying at the Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul and exhibiting at the Lotte Department Store that adjoins the hotel. The freight left last monday and hopefully nothing has broken - I am also taking some of the animals in my luggage!I have absolutely no idea what to expect and unsure of the reception our products will receive…everyone has been quick to point out that the Koreans will instantly attempt to imitate our work but I feel this is highly unlikely. While they do have a centuries-old ceramic tradition - the bright underglazes we use as well as some of our decorating techniques will be completely foreign to them. Well here’s hoping anyway.

I am meeting up with a Korean potter who I met out here when he did a workshop for the Ceramics Association. I love his work and am looking forward to seeing his studio and hoping he will show me around some of the local potteries. Also dying to see some Buddhist temples and ancient buildings.

There are 18 of us from all corners of South Africa. Wirework, beading, textiles, gameskin shoes and bags, ceramics (not only Zizamele) and various other media will be represented.

Award received by Zizamele in recognition of being a Cape Craft Icon, issued by the Cape Craft and Design Institute