Crafting a dream from ceramics
KRAAIFONTEIN ceramicist Simphiwe Mbunyuza’s dream of starting his own ceramic factory has moved one step closer to becoming a reality.
The University of Oklahoma granted him a scholarship to complete his Master’s degree in fine arts at the US institution.
The 29-year-old Mbunyuza, whose three-year scholarship starts in August and ends in 2021, has also received an assistant teaching position at the university while he studies there.
Last year, he was among a group of international artists selected to participate in the Artists in Residence Vallauris programme in France.
“I am very thankful to have been granted the opportunity by Oklahoma University. It is something I have been dreaming about – to go and study overseas,” Mbunyuza said.
The main reason behind pursuing his Master’s degree abroad, after completing a Bachelor of Technology in fine arts at Walter Sisulu University in East London in 2014, was to acquire new knowledge and skills within the field of craft and visual arts and the ceramics industry, he said.
It was also to impart local culture to other countries, such as the US, and he would learn their culture within the context of craft and visual arts, he said.
“My dream is to come back and establish a ceramic manufacturing factory and school of applied arts in the Butterworth Industrial Zone where I was born,” said Mbunyuza.
The Eastern Cape-born artist will learn to build a kiln, and acquire skills based on the university’s course outline, which are not offered in South African institutions, during his first semester, he added.
He thanked Assistant Professor Stuart Asprey of the Faculty of Humanities’ fine art department.
“He and his directors devised means for me to acquire a scholarship of $10000 (R126000) to assist me through my studies.
“They have even created an opportunity for me to be granted an assistant position as a teacher during my studies,” said Mbunyuza.
In a welcoming letter extending the scholarship to Mbunyuza, the university said: “Congratulations on your admission to the Art: Design, MFA programme and the Graduate College of the University of Oklahoma.
“We believe that you have demonstrated the potential for success in graduate study.”
In March this year, he was invited by the Community College of Baltimore to give a lecture and a demonstration to their junior and advanced students in the US.
By the end of June, he will be leaving for China for a one month residency.
Mbunyuza said the residency was at the YZ Creative Art Centre and was fully funded.