Christo Giles if a potter based in Cape Town, South Africa. The unpredictable results and uniqueness of each soda-glazed pot are the reasons for Christo’s fascination with this technique of firing. Soda bicarbonate is introduced into the kiln chamber at high temperature using a pressurised garden sprayer, the soda vaporises and combines with the clay to form a glaze on the pots. He believes that form and function of the pot is primary and that glazes and decoration should enhance rather than overwhelm it.
In 1999, Christo Giles moved to Cape Town and works from his home-studio in Welcome Glen. He produces a range of functional stoneware and porcelain using the potter’s wheel. The pots are fired in a gas kiln to about 1300 degrees C. He uses glazes that are reduction fired, which is essential to get a range of copper red, blue and green celadon colours. He also fires some pots in a gas-fired soda kiln.
At the beginning of 1997, Christo Giles moved to the Natal Midlands where he worked with Lindsay Scott at Hillfold Pottery. There he gained valuable experience from one of the country’s leading potters.
Christo Giles was born in Johannesburg in 1970. He matriculated from Durban High School in 1988, where he studied art and ceramics. Having started studying a Business degree, he realised his passions lay elsewhere. He opened a pottery studio at his parents home in Durban and produced a range of reduction fired stoneware and porcelain using a gas kiln.
Publications that Christo Giles the Potter appears in
- Craft Art – in South Africa, by Elbe Coetsee. Struik 2002
- 500 Pitchers – Comtemporary Expressions of a Classic Form, Lark Books 2006 New York
Awards
- 1994 Best stoneware piece APSA Natal Regional Exhibition
- 2000 Best high fired work APSA Western Cape Regional Exhibition
- 2001 Merit Award APSA National Ceramics Awards
- 2010 Best Functional Piece Ceramics SA National Exhibition Franschoek
Exhibitions
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Christo Giles the Potter 1994-2006 APSA Regional Exhibitions
- 1995 Solo exhibition at The Anthea Martin Gallery, Durban
- 1998 Strange Brew at Gallery on the Square, Santon JHB with Lindsay Scott, Andrew Walford and Ian Glenny
- 2001 APSA National Ceramics Awards, Cape Town
- 2002 Solo exhibition at The Arts Association of Bellville Gallery
- 2002 Joint exhibition with Lindsay Scott at The Kim Sacks Gallery
- 2002 Selector and judge at APSA Western Cape Regional exhibition
- 2003 Group Exhibition at The William Humphreys Art Gallery,Kimberly
- 2003 The Brett Kebble Art Awards
- 2003 Altech Ceramics Triennial Cape Town
- 2004 “Form and Function” exploring the teapot with Hennie Meyer
- 2005 55 Teapots in Clarens Exhibition, Johan Smith Art Gallery
- 2005 Selector and judge Ceramics SA Cape Regional Exhibition
- 2006 Solo Exhibition at Kim Sacks Gallery in Johannesburg
- 2006 Biara Exhibition at Alisons Wynberg
- 2006 CSA National Exhibition Cape Town
- 2009 Potters 4 Function Irma Stern Museum
- 2010 CSA National Exhibition Franschoek
Collections
- The Corobrick Collection Pretoria Art Museum
- The William Humphreys Art Gallery, Kimberly
- The Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg