Jane du Rand Studio Class (Term 2, 2021: Saturday 10-1pm)

Jane du Rand Studio Class (10–1pm Saturday 24 April – 26 June 2021)

Jane du Rand’s ceramic and mosaic art combines a range of technical and artistic skills to bring the natural world to life within urban environments, and it is this approach that she aims to bring to her new weekly studio class program.

Jane du Rand’s studio classes are an opportunity for students to work on small- to medium-scaled projects with technical challenges appropriate to your own skill level. The 10-week course is unified by a substantive theme with project suggestions and reference materials around that theme. Students may also bring their own new or ongoing projects to the class.

This course takes a project-centred approach, with teaching centred on the particular work and learning needs that are demanded by students’ projects. Throughout the course, students will learn new ceramic and mosaic artistic skills to progress their own work, while also benefiting from the group learning environment. Significant time is provided within classes for students to complete their projects, and students may also take work home to progress between classes.

Jane will deliver a group instruction session during each class to teach fundamental design and technical skills, as well as providing time for one-on-one mentoring and skills development tailored to each student’s own project needs and skill level. Topics covered in the course include:

• designing and setting out small- to medium-scale artworks, and translating designs into ceramics and mosaics.
• sculpting ceramic pieces, including mould making, glazing and firing.
• cutting and placing mosaics looking at choosing colours, shapes, glass mosaics, ceramic tiles and smalti.
• installing the work, including grouting, finishing off and cleaning the final artwork.

This class is suitable for students with various levels of art experience who are committed to undertaking an extended art training experience. It is recommended that students undertake at least one prior workshop in either ceramic or mosaic art before attending this class; however, it is not necessary to have undertaken workshops in both fields in order to join the class.

All tools and materials required for this course (such as clay, tiles, glazes and underglazes, canvas boards, backing boards, and safety goggles) are supplied; however, a fee is applicable for firing ceramic pieces based on their size at $10/kg. Students will receive a tool box to hold their tools and materials to complete their projects. Students are required to bring a notebook or artist’s journal to class to sketch ideas, make notes and record glazing and under glazing samples and experiments. Students are also required to wear closed shoes.

About Jane du Rand

Jane du Rand is a ceramic and mosaic artist working from her studio in the Station Road Creative Precinct at Yeerongpilly. Born in Durban, South Africa, she has a Bachelor of Architecture Cum Laude from the University of KwaZulu Natal. Jane has run a ceramic studio for the past 20 years and is best known for her large-scale commissioned ceramic and mosaic artworks in public spaces and on public buildings, as well as a great number of private commissions. She has completed projects throughout Southern Africa, and also in France, the Netherlands, Chile, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America.

In 2003, Jane won the public art competition at the new Constitutional Court Building in Johannesburg with her proposal to clad the 18 foyer columns with ceramics based on indigenous trees. In 2009, she was nominated as a finalist for the Mercedes Benz Award, South African Art Projects in Public Spaces. In 2017, Jane won the Best Of Show award for her sculpture at the Ipswich Art Awards; and in 2018, won second prize for her sculpture entry.

Jane moved from South Africa to Australia at the beginning of 2014 and is now an Australian citizen.

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Cost: $600 for 10 weeks. Email team@plantempire.com.au to reserve your spot with a 10% deposit and pay your registration in full by 24 March 2021.