BILLIE McNaughton’s beautiful ceramic works reflect her positive attitude to life.
The PE resident, who says she is “57 going on 28 and getting younger by the day”, is one of the entrants in this year’s Innibos National Craft Awards. “The positive message of life I am able to portray in my art is a result of the passionate life I lead,” she said.
“Besides my art, my love of nature and my special people, my passion is ocean swimming.”
This love of water manifested itself in Billie’s work. She is known for her bold female heads, adorned with Anam Cara or Other Self caps.
“They originated as swimming caps in my sculptures but have since become fish, trees and birds,” she explained. The eyes of Billie’s ceramic heads are covered because she wants to portray an insight beyond that which the eyes can see.
Billie studied at the old Port Elizabeth Technikon in the early ’80s, under artists Hylton Nel and Deon Venter. Before that, while at school in Grahamstown, she studied at the Carinus Art School. Initially, Billie did graphic fine art for a year under well-known South African artist and art educator, Alexander Podlashuc.
Her love affair with art was interrupted by ‘life and children’ but she found her way back to the fold in 2012. Today, she spends her time in her garden studio, which is filled with light, birdsong, dogs, music and occasionally art students.
Billie serves on the Eastern Cape committee of Ceramics SA and has exhibited in Cape Town, East London, Johannesburg, Grahamstown, Bloemfontein, Calitzdorp and Port Elizabeth.
“I have had work chosen for four Corobrik national exhibitions and won second place in the East Cape Regionals and Artec New Signature Exhibitions,” said Billie, who has been invited to exhibit in Hermanus in June.
“I am loving my life journey and hope I am able to spread joy through the privilege of being an artist.”
The Innibos National Craft Awards, now in its fourth year, is free to enter. The closing date is midnight on May 1. For info on the awards visit Facebook @InnibosNationalCraftAwards or e-mail John Anthony Boerma at artaid@lantic.net.
