This annual report for the University of KwaZulu-Natal highlights the vital role art plays in our society. In the words of Aristotle, “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance”.

CLIENT

University of KwaZulu-Natal

services

Annual Report Concept • Design

Photography

Infographics & illustrations

Layout & Typesetting

Project and print management

The studio provided the client the annual report concept: South Africa’s vibrant cultural interchange through Art. The emphasis was on visually demonstrating the client’s local context as an African educational institution.

Artworks were sourced from the client’s archives to illustrate the institution’s rich historical background. (Barbara Tyrrell artworks housed at UKZN’s Campbell Collections and the handwoven pieces from Rorke’s Drift.)

The report’s contemporary context is shown in works by alumni artist Fée Halsted and Ardmore Studios. The visuals promotes insight of the local context of the university and demonstrate Art as collaboration.

Front cover concept: During the 1980s, UKZN Fine Art graduate Fée Halsted established Ardmore Ceramic Art in KwaZulu-Natal. Ardmore’s unique style of ceramics arose out of the artistic synergy and friendship between Fée and Bonnie Ntshalintshali – the studio’s first student.

The artistic partnership resulted in superb quality artworks with a distinctive style combining western ceramic technology with African folklore. In 1990, Fée and Bonnie were acknowledged as leading South African ceramic artists when they were jointly awarded the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award.

With this success came an increasing demand for the studio’s work. Recognising an opportunity to empower the local community, Fée began training other artists. Today Ardmore is represented in 17 major art collections worldwide, its artists have won numerous awards and sell artwork to outlets in 12 countries.