Hello and sunny spring greetings from us at Bukkenburg in Swellendam
How wonderful to feel the warmer weather now and enjoy longer days with the arrival of spring in the southern hemisphere.
We’re marking two notable milestones in October
And one upcoming event
We have been together for 50 years!
Our meandering journey / adventure / odyssey into clay and the art and craft of high fired studio pottery began within a few months of our getting together in October 1972.
Then and now …
We’re also marking 26 years in Swellendam. We moved into the heritage house Bukkenburg on 1 October 1996, after many years in our home and studio in Johannesburg.
Bukkenburg
Winter into spring
It’s been a different and an interesting journey this past winter.
Felicity broke the fibula in her right leg in July about a week after we posted our last newsletter, and that had a profound impact on the rhythm of life and work.
We are so grateful for supportive friends and neighbours who helped us through this time.
We ran several short workshops in the studio during the winter while Felicity was ‘out of action’, and managed to cater a marvellous dinner for the Swellendam Music Society and their visiting artists with help of Carolyn from next door, Sue and Felicity’s son Andrew who was here for the weekend.
Occupancy in the cottage has been modest and steady.
Felicity’s recovery is reassuring and work in the studio is regaining some momentum – the rhythm of life and work slowly returns.
We have the house and some light studio equipment connected to a backup electricity supply and so now we are able to remain productive.
The studio and covered outside drying area are filling up with unfired pots, many orders and stock for our gallery for the summer. We’re looking forward to getting busy with our spring firings as soon as possible.
As with so many all over the country, the ongoing nationwide power cuts have impacted our work in the studio. In order to fire either of our two big oil fired kilns we need at least 14 hours of uninterrupted electricity.
We’re hopeful for a more steady supply of electricity soon, and if not, we we’ll have to consider an alternative solution, perhaps a generator to run the big three-phase fan that atomises the fuel as it enters the kiln.
In the studio
Swellendam Garden Expo & Open Gardens 4 to 6 November
We have also been very busy preparing the garden for the Swellendam Open Gardens weekend in November.
Ours will be one of 18 gardens in and around Swellendam that will be open to visitors from 4 to 6 November.
In addition there will be a Gardener’s Market and a range of events.
For further information and bookings please visit the Swellendam Garden Expo. Website: CLICK HERE Also on Facebook; CLICK HERE
A few spring garden pictures
Spotted Eagle Owl Mother and baby photographed just a little more than a week ago
‘Swellendam – On The Way To Everywhere’
For the past few years Swellendam has been without an organised, co-ordinated tourism plan or strategy, and we appreciate what is being done by several hard working individuals in their efforts to keep the profile of the town and region visible and prominent.
Our self-catering guest cottage, shown above, is available for an overnight stay or longer. Details and pictures on the ‘Accommodation Page’ Click Here
Overberg farmlands outside Swellendam in late September
Hello and warm winter greetings from Bukkenburg in Swellendam.
Porcelain bowl – wheel thrown, faceted, turned and tooled. Copper glaze, reduction fired to 1320 degrees C in our oil kiln.
Overall mixed blessings this winter as the country emerges from more than 800 days of varying degrees of Covid-19 lockdown, and now ongoing nation-wide power cuts affecting everyone and everything.
Multi-layered drama in the social, political and economic world as well.
Fiscal shrike on a fencing dropper in the garden.
We are thankful to have been busy in the studio lately and there is commissioned work in hand to take us through to the spring.
Winter is usually quiet here in the Southern Cape, and as usual we are using the time to get through the outstanding ordered work and also to build up a new collection of work to have in the gallery for the coming spring and summer months.
Pippa in one of her unusual, usual spots
We require at least 14 hours of uninterrupted electricity supply to power the fan on our big oil kiln to complete a firing.
Stage 6 load shedding has just begun country wide. This means that the power will be cut for about 9 1/2 hours a day at different times until further notice.
The house and some light equipment in the studio are on a backup system so we can remain productive to a point.
We’re making use of these days of load-shedding to get this blog and some other tasks done, in addition to getting pots made for the next firings.
We sincerely hope that those who are waiting for their pots will not have to wait too much longer.
Here are some pictures of what we’ve been up to recently.
The big kiln – before and after glaze firing
Pots cooling in the open kiln after the glaze firing
Throwing a big stoneware amphora
Decorating a stoneware lamp base
Swellendam is so well situated on the N2 national road, halfway between Cape Town and the Garden Route, and we are delighted to have become an essential stop for family, friends, and customers old and new as they make their way through this part of the country.
In addition to this, we are so grateful for the continued support from people in Swellendam and surrounds.
In the pictures below: On the left – James with his cousins Sarie, Paul, Simone, and Juliette. From Cape Town and Germany. On right – With an old school colleague Alan Whiteside from Norwich, UK reacquainting after 52 years! Below – a lovely visit from our niece Alice and her husband Nate who live in London.
Some tools of the trade and a productive mess
‘Swellendam – On The Way To Everywhere’
For the past few years Swellendam has been without an organised, co-ordinated tourism plan or strategy, and we appreciate what is being done by several hard working individuals in their efforts to keep the profile of the town and region visible and prominent.
Ripening canola fields and the Langeberg Mountains – winter in the Swellendam District of the Overberg Region in the Western Cape.
Stoneware platter – 47cm diameter
A line of smaller porcelain pieces
Stoneware vases
The big kiln is loaded with pots for the first of two bisque firings, waiting now for the power grid to stabilise.
And these will be in the the next firing …
We will be sending out information in due course about upcoming events in which we will be involved as we approach spring and summer. Just two for now:
Our Potter’s Lunch and Open Studio in September ?
Swellendam Open Gardens over the first weekend in November.
Workshops & Classes
With the recent removal of all Covid-19 regulations, we are going to be starting some workshops and teaching sessions. Please have a look at the ‘Workshops Page’ : Click Here
We’re hoping that the pair of breeding Spotted Eagle Owls who have been nesting nearby for the past few years will be doing so again this winter and coming spring.
Our self-catering guest cottage shown above is available for an overnight stay or longer. Details and pictures on the ‘Accommodation Page’ Click Here
Mid-winter greetings from Bukkenburg Pottery Studio in Swellendam
In this winter newsletter we will be showing some of our ongoing activities here in Swellendam including:
– New and ongoing work in the studio, completing outstanding orders and preparing fresh and exciting new pots, for display in our gallery in the coming spring.
– Upcoming valuation days with Strauss & Co, on 13 and 14 July.
– A link to the video of our slideshow with commentary on ClayChat, showing a photo record of our journey over the past 48 years.
–Feedback on the launch of David’s brother John’s book ‘When They Came For Me – The Hidden Diary Of An Apartheid Prisoner’, including links to videos of the virtual launch and recent interviews.
___________________________________________
Cape Robin
Strauss & Co – Valuation Days in SWELLENDAM
This year’s Valuation Days will be a bit different to previous events in that Vanessa and Ian from Strauss & Co will take bookings to visit people at their homes to view the items that they would like valued.
and at the homes of people who would like to have their items valued at home.
VALUATIONS:
To Book an Appointment: Please phone Vanessa – 072 445 4717 _____________________________________
Cape Weaver
Stoneware bowl – wheel thrown, turned and faceted. Copper red glaze. Reduction fired to 1 320 degrees C.
_____________________________
A short while back we were invited by Rika Herbst to prepare a slideshow with commentary for ClayChat, covering our 48 years of working together. A video of that slideshow is now at this link: CLICK HERE
‘When They Came For Me – The Hidden Diary Of An Apartheid Prisoner’
For those who missed the online launch and want to see some of it, and those who would like to see it again, here are the various YouTube links, and video links to other interviews with John about the book:
Video recording of the live streamed book launch event: CLICK HERE
Video replay of the Daily Maverick Webinar: John Schlapobersky in conversation with Judge Dennis Davis: CLICK HERE
Video of the interview with John Schlapobersky on ‘Die Groot Ontbyt’ on Kyknet: CLICK HERE
Radio 702 Podcast –John Schlapobersky in conversation with Gushwell Brooks: CLICK HERE
The book is now generally available and is published by Jonathan Ball Publishers in South Africa and Berghahn Books in the UK. ____________________________________________________
Wheel thrown stoneware bowls.
Work in progress …So many chameleons in the garden this winter …
Accommodation at the Studio.
The Potter’s Cottage at Bukkenburg.
Our self-catering guest cottage, shown above, is available for an overnight stay or longer, pictures and details are on the Accommodation page of this website. COVID-19 protocols are in place. _________________________________________________________________
Winter is a special season in our part of the world, with spectacular landscapes – mountains, farmlands, and so much more ..!
Fields of ripening Canola and winter wheat beneath the spectacular Langberg Mountains near Swellendam.Wheel thrown stoneware jug – tenmoku double glaze with wax resist.
We now have a new e-mail address: david@pottery.co.za Please add it to your address books, the old one will be phased out over time.
Part of the salad buffet from an earlier Potter’s Lunch.
Our next ‘Potter’s Lunch and Open Studio’ is likely to take place towards the end of September – details will follow The studio, gallery and garden are open and working daily, and visitors are welcome. Please call ahead if travelling from afar, just to be sure that we’re here and available on the day. COVID-19 protocols are in place. ________________________________________________________________________
Wishing you all the best in good health and safety – please take care.
David and Felicity Bukkenburg – Swellendam July – 2021
We are pleased to invite you to join us for two online events over the next two weeks to launch the book ‘When They Came For Me – The Hidden Diary Of An Apartheid Prisoner’ by John Schlapobersky, David’s brother.
The book launch took place on Sunday 13 June 2021 in London, exactly 52 years since John’s arrest in Johannesburg. Here is a link to the video of the launch, please click on the small image of the book cover below:
Please click on the image above to open the video of the book launch.
The first event will be a Webinar with Daily Maverick
In which John will be in discussion with Judge Dennis Davis
Date: Wednesday 9 June Time: 12:00 SAST
REGISTRATION: Click on the sunflower
You will receive confirmation by e-mail after completing the form.
The second event will be the Virtual Book Launch and celebration on Zoom, filmed and streamed live from London.
When
They Came For Me The Hidden Diary of
an Apartheid Prisoner
by John R. Schlapobersky
The author, John Schlapobersky, and publishers Jonathan Ball Publishers and Berghahn Books
Invite you to join us ONLINE for a
Virtual Book Launch and Celebration Filmed and streamed live from Phoenix Theatre, King Alfred School, London
Date: Sunday 13th June 2021
Time: 2.30 – 4.00 pm B.S.T.
Moderators: Hannah Sherbersky and Marian Prinsley Author’s family
Contributors: Justice Albie Sachs Formerly Justice, South Africa’s Constitutional Court
Gillian Slovo Author, playwright, formerly President, British PEN in discussion with John Schlapobersky
Marion Berghahn and Jeremy Boraine – publishers
REGISTRATION: Click on the sunflower
You will receive a registration form for completion, giving you access to the zoom event ______________________________________________________________________________
Content John Schlapobersky, a student in South Africa, was arrested in 1969 for opposing apartheid, tortured through sleep deprivation and eventually deported. In solitary confinement he wrote secretly about the struggle for survival. This exquisitely written memoir is based on two hidden diaries – one in his Bible and the other on toilet paper. He reflects on the singing of the condemned prisoners and the poetry, songs and texts that saw him through his ordeal. The sense of hope through which he transformed his life guides his continuing work as a psychotherapist in the rehabilitation of others. Apartheid and its resistance come to life in this vital historical document, of its time and for our own.
Author John is a leading psychotherapist and author based in London. In 1985 he was a Founding Trustee of Freedom From Torture, a human rights charity. His publications include From The Couch To The Circle: Group-Analytic Psychotherapy In Practice (Routledge 2016), winner of the American Group Psychotherapy Association’s Alonso Award in 2017, now in translation to other language editions.
‘An exquisitely written memoir about human endurance, survival, repair and transcendence.’ Justice Albie Sachs
‘An intriguing story of endurance and survival. A reminder of times, and the people who resisted them, that should never be forgotten.’ Gillian Slovo
‘One of the most vivid, intimate and sustained accounts yet, of the brutality that apartheid’s torturers unleashed – a remarkable book about our inhumanity and the resilience of the human spirit.’ Jonathan Jansen, Professor, University of Stellenbosch
‘The tale of an ordinary young man swept one day from his life into hell, testimony to the wickedness a political system let loose in its agents and, above all, an intimate account of how a man became a healer.’ Jonny Steinberg, Professor, African Studies Centre, University of Oxford
‘John has made surviving into…an act of creative protest (and) a means to bear witness for the many who did not survive.’ Jack Saul, Director, International Trauma Studies Program, New York. ___________________________________________________________
To order the book online outside South Africa, visit the publisher’s website: Berghahn Books using code JSBOOK for a 35% launch discount.
To order the book online inside Southern Africa, (including South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique) visit the publisher’s website: Jonathan Ball Publishers
We sincerely hope that some of you will be able to join in either one of these events, or perhaps both. There is a third event being considered, to take pace in Swellendam. Details will follow soon with our winter newsletter.
Our studio, gallery and garden in Swellendam are open and working daily, and visitors are always welcome. Please call ahead if travelling from afar, just to be sure that we’re here and available on the day.
Wishing you all the best in good health and safety.
David and Felicity Bukkenburg Pottery Studio, Gallery & Guest Cottage Swellendam May – 2021
New Year Greetings from Swellendam, and a warm welcome back to Bukkenburg Pottery Studio, Gallery & Guest Cottage at the beginning of what seems to be another very turbulent and worrying year ahead.
Once again we extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all who have supported our efforts over the last while; your continued support has helped us to sustain ourselves during these very trying times.
We are grateful for the commissioned work, large and small, which has so helped us work through these turbulent times, and also to those who visited the studio over the holiday season and bought something from us to take home with them.
This lovely pair of wheel-thrown stoneware planters are at their new home in Johannesburg.
Much of the past while has been spent working on a commission for very big indoor and outdoor planters. The wet work, including some extras, is more or less done and as soon as we have the final finish and colour requirements from the client, the pots will be fired. We’ll also be firing the smaller commissions and orders that have come in, and also some new work for the gallery.
Overall, we are busy and productive with some ongoing work right here at home – a lot to be thankful for in these uncertain times ..!
It is alarming to hear that the rates of Covid-19 infection, hospitalization and death in our country are growing; and even in a small rural town like this, we are aware of and know people who are really suffering with the virus and some who have succumbed.
A second wave of the Coronavirus is causing such unbearable pain, suffering and hardship around the world, including our own country, and after a brief respite in ‘lockdown’ level 1 towards the end of last year, here, we are back to ‘lockdown’ level 3.
There are several local welfare and charity initiatives set up to help those who have fallen on harder times during the pandemic, providing food and comfort to those hardest hit, and the local population is always willing to spring into action when called on to help.
Local medical services are operating under increasing strain as the virus continues to spread in and around Swellendam.
This version of Level 3 ‘lockdown’ includes several severe measures which have had a devastating impact on the economy, agriculture, and an already struggling domestic travel industry over the summer.
Some of these measures and restrictions which were introduced at the beginning of the holiday season include the total closure of all beaches in our part of the world, a complete ban on all alcohol sales, night time curfew from 9.00 pm to 6.00 am, closure of land borders with neighbouring countries amongst others.
These measures and restrictions have had a specially devastating impact on the wine industry of the Western Cape, an industry that employs over 300 000 people and is central to the economy of the region.
The wine growing region in our part of the world is largely to the west of us and to the south, very close to Swellendam.
This article by winemaker Bruce Jack paints a very touching and disturbing picture of what is being faced:
Vineyards and the Breede River in summer near Bonnievale, Western Cape
By contrast, we hear that the grain famers of the Swellendam district have had a very good harvest, and things are looking promising for them, which will have a beneficial impact on the town. We wrote about this in our September newsletter, before the harvest came in, and if you scroll down, you will find it there.
Wheat fields near Riviersonderend after the harvest.
In our immediate area we are seeing growing unemployment, poverty and misery all around us, and daily there are people ringing our door bell asking for something to do, a ‘piece job’, just to get something to eat. Others desperately asking for a sandwich.
According to Statistics SA, more than 17 million South Africans, one in five, rely on social welfare grants from the state; and even in this small rural town there are unbelievably long queues of desperate people standing in line for their welfare grant payments on their designated days.
Our own strategy for now involves going out as seldom as possible with masks and hand sanitizer, and only for those things we really need; there are bottles of sanitizer around the house, gallery, studio, and cottage; washing hands etc etc, and most specially staying away from busy or crowded places if we can.
As expected, visitor numbers are significantly down on previous years, and the usual flow of foreign travelers to this part of the world seems to have almost dried up completely for now.
It is doubtful that we’ll experience any real return of travellers to our region until there are enough vaccinated people who feel confident to travel again, and that seems to be a long way off.
The summer months have brought a slow, steady flow of visitors to the studio, and we have been fortunate to have also had several bookings in the cottage over the holiday season.
Accommodation at the Studio
Our guest cottage is available for an overnight stay or longer.
For further information please have a look at our accommodation page where there are pictures and a full description of what is available.
And as the year begins to get underway, we are again experiencing ongoing nation-wide power cuts – called ‘load shedding’ here. Sometimes two or even three 2 1/2 hour events a day. Not easy dodging these cuts in electricity supply and still remaining productive and upbeat !
It’s harder now to imagine where the leadership will come from to help change direction here towards something more positive. This article written by Marianne Merten in the Daily Maverick this week provides a sobering look at what the coming year might hold for this country: CLICK HERE:
Sadly, due to the curfew this year, we were unable to take our stroll through town late on New Year’s Eve and make our by now traditional ‘Abbey Road Crossing’ over the main street.
Here’s a picture from last year’s walk:
Huge excitement during the summer when a pair of Spotted Eagle Owls hatched two eggs in a hollow in an oak tree right here in our neighbour’s garden. Needless to say they provided the best photo opportunity imaginable. Here are some of the pictures of one of the adults and the two owlets:
Spotted Eagle Owl – one of the parents
We have found the available digital communications and media reassuring during the lock-down period, and like so many, we have been able to stay in touch with family, friends and customers around the country and the world. Within the next month or so we will be hooked up to the internet with the newly installed fibre network in town and we’re looking forward to high-speed, trouble-free communications. The paperwork is all done, and now we wait for the area to go ‘live’.
Our social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram have become essential tools in our working and social lives.
We have a new e-mail address: david@pottery.co.za Please add it to your address books, the old one will be phased out over time.
The studio, gallery and garden are open and working daily, and visitors are welcome. Please call ahead if travelling from afar, just to be sure that we’re here and available on the day.
Wishing you all the best in good health and safety as we begin the new year.
Please take care of yourselves and each other ..!
David and Felicity Bukkenburg – Swellendam January – 2021