UBUNTU MANIFEST: DECOLONISING RESEARCH & CURATORIAL PRACTICE IN CERAMICS. Wendy Anne Gers A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Sunderland for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy / PhD by Existing Published or Creative Works April 2019 Table of Contents PART 0 Abstract .................................................................................... 9 0.1 Technical notes .............................................................................. 10 0.1.1 Dedication & Acknowledgements ............................................ 10 0.1.2 Notes on style & referencing ................................................... 11 0.2 Glossary......................................................................................... 11 0.3 Introduction .................................................................................... 16 0.3.1 Overview ................................................................................. 16 0.3.2 Thesis structure ....................................................................... 17 PART 1 Scorched Earth ...................................................................... 19 1.1 Contextual overview: South African Art History from the 1990s to 2000s ................................................................................................ 20 1.2 Research methods ..................................................................... 22 1.2.1 Literature survey: Southern African & British commercial ceramics sectors .............................................................................. 23 1.2.2 Ethnographic research methods .............................................. 26 1.2.3 Survey of private & public museum collections ....................... 28 1.2.4 Personal study collection ......................................................... 30 1.3 Research questions .................................................................... 31 1.3.1 Contextual ............................................................................... 31 1.3.2 Methodological ........................................................................ 32 1.4 Research methodology ............................................................... 33 1.4.1 Embracing incapacity & research gaps ................................... 34 1.4.2 Objectifying ‘workers’ histories’ ............................................... 38 1.5 Reviews ...................................................................................... 40 2 | Page 1.6 Contribution to knowledge .......................................................... 42 1.6.1 The first substantial scholarly reference text in this field .......... 42 1.6.2 Interdisciplinary research methods & methodology ................. 43 1.6.3 Presents a century of ceramics workers’ history...................... 44 1.6.4 Encourages further research ................................................... 44 1.6.5 Impact on South African museum collection policies & exhibition practices ........................................................................................... 46 1.6.6 Changes in the South African art market ................................. 50 1.6.7 Debunking misinformation Modernist biases ........................... 51 1.7 Areas for further research & consideration ................................. 52 1.7.1 Potteries & artists .................................................................... 53 1.7.2 Heritage institutions ................................................................. 54 PART 2 Post-colonialism? ................................................................... 56 2.1 Contextual overview: South African curatorial practices from the late 1980s ......................................................................................... 58 2.2 Research methods ..................................................................... 62 2.2.1 Literature review ...................................................................... 62 2.2.2 Personal research practice ...................................................... 66 2.3 Research questions .................................................................... 68 2.3.1 Contextual ............................................................................... 68 2.3.2 Methodological ........................................................................ 69 2.4 Research methodology ............................................................... 70 2.4.1 Ubuntu, affective labour & displays of relationality .................. 70 2.5 Reviews ...................................................................................... 76 2.5.1 Exhibition review by A. Stellaccio ............................................ 77 2.5.2 TV review by i-24News ............................................................ 79 3 | Page 2.5.3 Unsolicited email correspondence from R. Ewing-James ........ 81 2.6 Contributions to knowledge ........................................................ 82 2.6.1 Impact ...................................................................................... 83 2.6.2 Unique glocal articulations of contemporary Settler Colonialism & other forms of Imperialism ............................................................. 87 2.6.3 ‘Speaking out’ .......................................................................... 88 2.6.4 Invention of the concept, cryrator ............................................ 90 2.7 Areas for further research & consideration ................................. 92 2.7.1 Post-colonialism? 2 ................................................................. 92 2.7.2 Palestinian partnership ............................................................ 93 2.7.3 Censorship & self-censorship .................................................. 93 2.7.4 The relationship between a documentary film & an exhibition . 95 2.7.5 Proactive implementation of emotional support networks for Curators working with trauma ........................................................... 96 PART 3 Conclusion ............................................................................. 97 PART 4 Bibliography ......................................................................... 102 PART 5 Appendices .......................................................................... 129 Appendix 5.1 Resume – Academic Research ................................ 129 Appendix 5.2 Research for Scorched Earth ................................... 134 Appendix 5.2.1 South African public archives consulted ................ 134 Appendix 5.2.2 South African institutional archives consulted ........ 135 Appendix 5.2.3 South African & international private archives consulted ........................................................................................ 136 Appendix 5.2.4 South African public, institutional & private libraries consulted ........................................................................................ 138 Appendix 5.2.5 Public & institutional libraries consulted in England 139 4 | Page Appendix 5.2.6 Ceramics collections in South African public museums & art galleries ................................................................................. 140 Appendix 5.2.7 Private ceramics collections .................................. 142 Appendix 5.2.8 Additional professional photographs supplied by South African academic & heritage institutions .............................. 143 Appendix 5.2.9 Additional professional photographs supplied by individuals ....................................................................................... 145 Appendix 5.2.10 Additional archival images supplied by South African public institutions ............................................................................ 146 Appendix 5.2.11 Additional archival images supplied by individuals ....................................................................................................... 147 Appendix 5.2.12 Archival images from the author’s study collection ....................................................................................................... 149 Appendix 5.2.13 Abridged listing of black & Indian Southern African artists and potters ........................................................................... 150 Appendix 5.2.14 Detailed analysis of Nilant’s Contemporary Pottery in South Africa .................................................................................... 153 Appendix 5.2.15 Detailed analysis of Clark & Wagner’s Potters of Southern Africa ............................................................................... 156 Appendix 5.2.16 Unpublished time-line for Scorched Earth ........... 161 Appendix 5.2.17 Screenshot of statistics from the Facebook group, South African Pottery History ......................................................... 177 Appendix 5.3 Peer reviews for Scorched Earth .............................. 178 Appendix 5.3.1 Jacana Media: confirmation of double-blind peer reviewing ........................................................................................ 178 Appendix 5.3.2 Review by E. Esmyol, IZIKO Museums of South Africa ....................................................................................................... 180 Appendix 5.3.3 Review by K. Venter, Tatham Art Gallery .............. 186 5 | Page Appendix 5.3.4 Review by G. de Kamper, University of Pretoria .... 200 Appendix 5.3.5 Review by C. Geldenhuis, Roodepoort Museum ... 201 Appendix 5.4 Book reviews for