Details
| First Name | Natalie |
| Last Name | de Morney |
| Nickname | nataliecerenearth-com |
Social Media
My Ceramics
| In the studio I like to do | Handbuilding, Sculpting, Everything to do with Ceramics |
| Clay body | Earthenware, Stoneware |
| Kiln Type | Electric Kiln |
| You can buy my work from | Natalie De Morney – 8 Artworks, Bio & Shows on Artsy
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About Me
| Introduction | I am Natalie de Morney and was born in Cape Town (b.1980) and raised in Elsies River, a township on the Cape Flats. I currently live in East London, South Africa. I was a civil engineer until, at the age of 33, I left that career behind to follow my passion of becoming the artist she always dreamt of being, since I was a little girl. After a year of exploring with little to no experience, I was led to joining a drawing class held by a retired fine art lecturer who encouraged me to go back to university and study fine art. Into my late 30s, I started tapping into her intuition and connecting to nature and the spiritual realm, capturing my introspective and healing journey. This led me to conduct my post graduate research on how to use art, spirituality and nature to heal. In 2020 I participated in the New Vanguard with Berman Contemporary which has reconnected me to my love for ceramics, especially hand building and sculpting.. My works illustrate my journey of healing and transformation. Instagram: @natalie_de_morney |
| What I Love about Ceramics | I love the feel of clay between my fingers as well as its unpredictable nature. |
| How I started with ceramics | I was introduced to ceramics at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape in 2016. This is also where I was exposed to the rich traditional Xhosa pottery and culture. |
| What inspires me | I am inspired by nature, my own journey and my connection to the spiritual realm. |
| What I'm working on at the moment | I am about to start experimenting with different glazes. |
| My Artist Statement | My artwork is more than just an expression of my healing journey – it’s a tool that I use to release deep-seated trauma; the physical manifestation of unresolved emotions, be it my own, from this or past lives – or that from my ancestral lineage. The cause of this trauma is not always known, it could be unresolved pain and suffering from generations of oppression and slavery. Through my art, I’ve learned that it’s enough to transmute this energy without the need to understand it, and that when uncomfortable emotions surface, it is indeed a beautiful gift. It is our Higher Self showing us any trauma that is unresolved and stored in the body that is ready to be released.  Through the creation of ceramic sculptures and performance pieces I find myself being receptive to access wisdom from my ancestors that I thought was lost through colonialism. My artwork rarely turns out as it was initially shown to me by my guides, ancestors, or Higher Self. As the healing process unfolds, the artwork evolves.  During the creation process I spend much of my time in nature and in my studio where I prefer to work in isolation. When creating in silence or with guided spiritual music, I connect to the subtleties of the spiritual realm and receive messages from my ancestors and within. |
| My CV | Group Exhibitions 2021 DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE, curated by Els van Mourik, Berman Contemporary, Johanneburg 2021 THE LIMINAL SPACE, curated by Morgan Kunhardt, Berman Contemporary, Johannesburg 2020 LABYRINTHINE, curated by Els van Mourik, BermanContemporary, Johannesburg 2019 BTech Degree Fine Art Exhibition, Ann Bryant Art Gallery, East London 2019 Summer Salon, Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, Johannesburg 2019 Jikeleza Pop-up Art Weekend, Jikeleza Route, EastLondon 2019 Art & Sliders, The Grove Wedding & Function Venue, East London 2019 Salon, Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, Johannesburg 2019 Ideals?, Albany Museum, National Arts Festival, Grahamstown 2018 Farm High Tea, Ann Bryant Art Gallery, East London 2018 Walter Sisulu University, Albany Museum, National Arts Festival Grahamstown 2017 Re-member, Walter Sisulu University Gallery, East London 2017 Peepshow, Ann Bryant Art Gallery, East London 2017 Common Ground, Albany Museum, National Arts Festival, Grahamstown
Art Fairs 2020 Turbine Art Fair, Berman Contemporary, Johannesburg
Publications 2021 Art a vital form of healing and recovery for East London former civil engineer, DispatchLIVE 2020 New vanguard of artists steaming ahead at RMB Turbine Art Fair, Edward Tsumele, City Life Arts, August 2020
Residencies 2018 Non-Metropolitan Artist Mentorship Programme, Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, Johannesburg
Education 2019 BTech Degree in Fine Art, Walter Sisulu University, East London 2018 National Diploma in Fine Art, Walter Sisulu University, East London |
