H E R E   W E   A R E

Bretten-Anne Moolman & Bianca Whitehead

 22 Oct – 25 Nov 2026

BRETTEN-ANNE MOOLMAN 

Here We Are in a time of humanity’s deepening dependence in the advancement of technology, capitalism and consumerism. It is at this time that we are the biggest threat to the natural resources to earth, our home. We denude the water sources, rape the forests of trees and diminish the plant and animal kingdom on a daily basis for the survival and progress of the human race. A deep shift needs to occur in the consciousness of humanity, globally, to become mindful of the earth, our home. To take cognizance of the quagmire we have found ourselves within consumerism and capitalism. To learn to tread lightly and to give back when we can. The responsibility falls on each and everyone one of us.

This exhibition explores an interpretation of the natural world and humanity. Investigating the duality between nature’s resources and the increasing need for technology to serve humanity. Observing what needs to be preserved and to have a consciousness of consumption, from the perspective of an artist in her studio.     

Artist Biography

Bretten-Anne Moolman obtained a fine arts degree from Rhodes University in 1991 and went on to complete a Higher Diploma in Art Education with three distinctions (1994). Living in Gqeberha as a professional artist, she has been a subcontract educator in the visual arts to children, teenagers and adults to schools, colleges and in the private sector for the past 25years. For the past 4years she was contracted as the fine arts painting lecturer at Nelson Mandela University. She currently runs and owns Art on Target in Target Kloof, an Art Gallery and Art School since 2014.

She has held multiple solo exhibitions and has mentored and curated several exhibitions, one in point: Nando’s Creative Exchange 2021. Her most recent solos: About Rain at GFI Gallery, Gqeberha (2019) and The Farmer’s Almanac at Grande Provence, Franschhoek (2021). She has participated in numerous group exhibitions nationally over the years and her works are in numerous private collections, and many of her works are in the Spier Arts Trust collection. Her work features in the permanent collections of the William Humphreys National Gallery and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum.

BIANCA WHITEHEAD

The ceramic vessel has long been the cornerstone of my ceramic practice. This new body of work introduces a return to function. While my past forms were leaning on the sculptural, these new white stoneware pieces are intentionally made to be functional vases for flowers. Each unique vessel is hand-built using the traditional coiling technique, often combining two or three distinct forms into a singular silhouette. My design process is purposely disciplined, using only the simplest elements of design—the line, the circle, and the dot. Driven by a deep love for colour, I hand-paint the surfaces with vibrant ceramic underglazes, copper oxide, and ceramic pencils. I find a therapeutic, meditative rhythm in the making process (coiling technique), and in the repetitive mark-making required to create geometric patterns. Fired at least three times in an electric kiln, the resulting surfaces offer a lively dialogue between structural form, joyful pattern, and radiant colour. I make ceramic forms because the making process itself enhances my well-being. Hand-building with clay offers a therapeutic, meditative space that quietens my mind, exercises my creative brain, and brings me a sense of peace. The ultimate reward of this peaceful practice is an object meant to be used, welcomed into a home, and enjoyed in daily life. I have titled the work with the names of those that have brought me to where I am. And here we are.

Artist Biography

Bianca completed a National diploma in Ceramic Design (Cum laude) from Port Elizabeth Technikon in 1994 and studied further at PET to obtain a National diploma in Textile Design (Cum laude) in 1998. She obtained her BTech Ceramic Design (Cum laude) in 2004. In 2009 she received the Best Newcomer, at the National Ceramics South Africa Exhibition held in Franschhoek. In 2012 she was awarded ‘Emerging Teacher of the Year’ and the ‘Creative Arts Award’ in 2016 both from the Faculty of Arts, Nelson Mandela University. Over the years Bianca has taken part in numerous local and national exhibitions. She has sold and sent work as far afield as the USA, England, France, Netherlands and Vietnam. Her work can be found in the permanent collections of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, and the Corobrik Collection (collection of South African ceramics) at the Pretoria Art Museum. Bianca was a ceramic design lecturer at the Nelson Mandela University from 2004 – 2019. She currently produces ceramic pieces for exhibitions at her home studio in Port Elizabeth.

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