I have been a practicing professional ceramic artist and teacher since the mid 90’s in South Africa and have very recently arrived to live in Toronto.

In my work I have attempted to integrate symbolic, visual, tactile and spiritual values- blending form, function and meaning. My work resonates with light, sound, pattern and texture.
 

My work includes one-off pieces that are created by coiling and hand-building as well as specialized ranges of thrown work: and the surface of the vessels are then carved, sculpted or engraved with intricate patterns and symbols that combine the geometric and organic.

I have also made ranges of porcelain lighting created by piercing, slip-trailing and resisting intricate patterns through which the light resonates.

There are many diversities and extremes that I try and hold and balance within my life and work- the white porcelain and black basalt clay; the closed, lidded and the open form; the tiny and the large. Within them all, they hold the silence and meditation of the making, the time, the process and the attention to detail.

I make vessels because containers are about potential. My focus is on the space-in- between; defined spaces of emptiness making room for something to be held.

Biography

I have recently moved from South Africa to Canada and have been a practicing ceramic artist and teacher for over 20 years. Below is a short resume of my life and work.

Graduated in 1989 with a BA Fine Arts in Photography from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Studied Ceramics at the Kim Sacks School of Ceramics and started
making ceramics full time creating one-off coiled and hand-built pieces (1991 – 1995)

Set up my own teaching studio and continued to make ceramics (1995-

Taught drawing and printmaking at the National School of the Arts, Grade 10-12 (1996)

Taught photography and drawing at Visual Arts and Crafts Academy
(VACA), a Non Government Organisation focused on arts education and training (1996)

Vice-Principal of VACA (1997 – 1999)

Director of VACA (2002 – 2006)

Formed Ceramic Business with ceramist Anthony Shapiro designing and manufacturing specialised home ware ranges for local and international stores, the business became known as Loren & Ant Ceramic Designs (2002-2005)

Set up on my own as Loren Kaplan Ceramic Art and Design focusing on growing my teaching studio and my ceramics: commissioned based work, one-off coiled pieces, specialised ranges, porcelain and stoneware lights highly patterned with slip-trail and drilled piercings, collaborative work and organic firings (2005-

My teaching focused on all forms of handwork including pinching, coiling, sculptural work, slab work, the relationship of form, function and design, a diverse range of techniques of surface detail and decoration for all levels of experience.

I was a Co Trainer, Facilitator and mentor for Create Africa Trading on behalf of the South African Department of Arts and Culture on Product Development, Design and Marketing Courses for artists and crafters.

Exhibitions and Awards

1987  Martiensen Exhibition Annual student competition at the Gertrude Posel Gallery-Johannesburg

1988  Martiensen Exhibition-highly commended for photographic work

1991  Group exhibition of South African Fine Art photographers at the National Gallery of Namibia

1992  Group exhibition of Ceramics at the Kim Sacks Gallery-Johannesburg

1993  “Black and White in Craft”- Group exhibition at the Kim Sacks Gallery
 

National Ceramic Biennale- won the First National Bank Award, 2nd prize in the Vessel Category

1995 Africus Biennale- Group exhibition of South African Ceramics entitled ‘Africa Earthed’ at Museum Africa- Johannsburg

1998 Vita Craft Award at the African Window- Johanneburg
 

1998 National Ceramics Biennale- Sandton Civic Gallery-Johannesburg 1998 Vita Craft Award at the Castle-Cape Town
 

1998 Participant of the South African exhibit at the World Trade Fair in London

1998  Beyond the Pale- Designer-maker exhibition-Johannesburg

1999  Beyond the Pale

2000  “Black and White in Craft”- Group exhibition at the Kim Sacks gallery

2005  Gallerie Galapagos- Group Exhibition-Johannesburg

2006  Design Indaba- Cape Town Convention Centre

2006  Rooms on View-South Africa House-Sandton Convention Centre- Johannesburg

2007  Design Indaba-Cape Town Convention Centre

2007  SHIFT-Joint Exhibition with Yda Walt-Amoeba Gallery-Johannesburg

2008  Design Indaba-Cape Town Convention Centre

2008 National Corobrik Ceramics Exhibition-University of Johannesburg Art Gallery

2008 Making Space: Solo Exhibition at Alliance Francaise- Johannesburg

2008 Oppitafel VIII An Exhibition of Ceramic Art and Lighting at Artspace- Johannesburg

2008  Soccerex Department of Arts and Culture Sandton Convention Centre- Johannesburg

2009  Design Indaba-Cape Town Convention Centre

2009  Oppitafel Babettes Feast at Artspace Gallery-Johannesburg

2010  Translations: Art into Jewellery- Standard Bank Gallery-Johannesburg

2010  Group Show, Ceramic Artists OBJEKT-Parktown-Johannesburg

2011  Southern Guild Design Exhibition-Edward Read Gallery-Johannesburg

2011  Group Ceramic Exhibition-Art in the Forest Gallery-Cape Town

2012  RESONATE- Solo Exhibition of Ceramic Bells-Mot Mot-Johannesburg

2014 Toronto Outdoor Art Show-Honorary Mention-Best of Ceramics

Collections

Constitutional Court of South Africa Art Collection: Bells of Forgiveness- A set of 6 Basalt Bells hanging off a mild steel structure