Peter Mthombeni

Peter, born 1961 in Middleburg, attended the Zenzeleni High School and later completed his national diplomas in graphics and ceramics at the University of Johannesburg (previously the as Technikon Witwatersrand) and Higher National Diploma in ceramics.

He has worked as both a designer and modeller in various ceramic studios and is at present self employed. Peter has been both a teacher and lecturer, has had vast experience judging exhibitions, competitions and moderating tertiary practical work. He is a member of the Potters Association of South Africa.

Peter had his first solo exhibition in 1992 at the Market Gallery in Newtown (Johannesburg) since then he has exhibited and travelled frequently. He was part of the Atlanta Olympic pre-programme (exhibition and workshops), has opened the Potters Association of Namibia’s annual show and travelled as a guest artist to Knights Gallery in Toronto Canada. On the local front, Peter has exhibited at the annual national Decorex expo. and participated in the Design Indaba 2007.

Peter has received numerous awards for his high quality ceramic work, more recently he received the Gauteng Region Arts, Culture and Heritage Award in 1999, the FNB Vita Craft Now Award,-millennium merit in 2000 and the Johannesburg Merchandising Award for functional ceramic ware in 2006.

His work resides in a number of private, international as well as national collections such as the ANC Collection, the London Museum, Pretoria Art Museum, Durban Art Museum, Toronto Museum and the Gallerie II Venturio, Belgium. His commissioned works are numerous, his work forms part of the Johannesburg Westcliff Heritage Trust, the Forum Homimi Hotel at the cradle of Humankind, A dinner plate set for an international event hosted by President Thabo Mbeki as well as a life size portrait of a Polish Second World War Veteran and a larger than life portrait of the late chief minister of the former Kwa-Ndebele Homeland.

Information courtesy of the artist