Michelle Legg 

Michelle Legg obtained a National Diploma in Ceramic Design from the Technikon Witwatersrand, Jhb. in 1997 and a Bachelor of Technology in Ceramic Design, cum laude from the Technikon Witwatersrand, Jhb. in 1998.  She held a successful Masters exhibition at the Zuva Gallery, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.  Her Masters of Technology in Ceramic Design was awarded from the University of Johannesburg in 2007.

In 1997 Legg was awarded the Tim Morris Scholarship for best studio work produced by a final year student at the Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR). In 1998 Legg received a Medal for Academic achievement:  Bachelor of Technology Cum Laude, this resulted in her receiving a TRC (TWR) Research Grant in 1999.  She was the Glazecor Award winner for Design at the 1995 A.P.S.A Regional Exhibition and received the Bronze award for the Vita Craft Now Millennium Awards Exhibition.  In 2001 she was selected for a residency at the International Ceramic Institute, Skaelskor, Denmark. 2001.

Legg conducted research on “The design and construction of handbuilt ceramic products/artefacts with reference to indigenous rural ceramics incorporating appropriate surfaces with reference to European Lace”.

Michelle Legg has participated in numerous exhibitions in South Africa from 1992 to date.

She has taught part time at the Technikon Witwatersrand (now University of Johannesburg) from 1997 to the present.

Legg’s recent work titled “WOMAN WARRIOR” honors woman warriors who have contributed in war throughout history.  The aim of this work is to maintain an awareness of woman’s strength, independence and freedom.  To serve as a reminder to all woman of the importance of the power they possess. 

The strong forms are traditionally associated with women, fragility, the home, with food, beer, providing - in contradiction but balanced with the aggressive, menacing and, almost metallic structure of the spikes that surround the forms that ultimately serve to protect.

I have always been attracted to the full voluptuous forms of South African indigenous pottery.  The surface of these smoke fired vessels reveal evidence of intense transformational processes of heat, fire and smoke.   This fascination has inspired me to research other types of smoked fired surfaces.   While the method of building the vessels is in complete contradiction to the firing process.  I have developed a technique of coiling that is based on the traditional techniques of South African potters; this creates a rhythm which is calming and quite meditative.

Information courtesy of the artist