Spier’s historic Old Wine Cellar is now home to Grounded Practice – a powerful new ceramics exhibition curated by Tamlin Blake, Chief Curator at Spier Arts Trust. Featuring 63 works by 42 artists from across South Africa, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on themes of balance, belonging and our connection to the earth.
Rather than prescribe a theme upfront, Blake allowed ideas to emerge organically through the artists’ submissions. “What came through was a profound sense of instability – personally, politically, environmentally,” she explains. “Many artists were using their practice to find their footing again, to re-establish a sense of centre. That’s where the title Grounded Practice comes from.”
At the heart of this exhibition is clay – both humble and powerful, ancient and enduring. For many of the participating artists, it’s not just a material, but a source of healing and connection. “Clay is rooted in the earth. It’s a direct link to the land and to our responsibility as its stewards,” says Blake.
That message resonates at Spier, where regeneration is woven into everything we do – from farming to hospitality to the way we support creativity. Grounded Practice speaks directly to this ethos: a creative meditation on what it means to live – and create – with care.
The exhibition includes everything from fine art to functional design to conceptual installations – and each piece offers something different. Whether you’re an art collector, a design enthusiast or just curious, you’ll find plenty to engage and inspire.
A few artists to look out for:
- Sinethemba Xola: Uses clay as a spiritual and meditative practice.
- Anita Sikutshwa: Channels African mythology and the unseen world in her abstract forms.
- Sylvester Zanoxolo Mqeku: Uses a sand-casting technique to explore our connection with the earth’s surface.
Grounded Practice is part of the Spier Arts Trust’s ongoing mission to support South African artists and foster sustainable creative careers. Through exhibitions, mentorships and commissions, the Trust continues to offer a platform for artists to grow and thrive.
Exhibition Details
Old Wine Cellar, Spier Wine Farm
26 May – 12 October 2025
Open daily from 9:00 – 17:00
Free entry
Art, like food and wine, is best shared, which is why Spier is such an enthusiastic supporter of African artists and their creations. Housing one of the largest contemporary art collections in the country, Spier believes in the power of the visual arts to teach and inspire, encouraging us all to engage openly with our world and each other. With such a thriving local artistic community and rich cultural heritage, Spier is excited about the future of South African art.
