ANTON VAN DER MERWE (1950-2016)

POTTER, ARTIST, CRAFTSPERSON AND CO-FOUNDER OF STARWAYS ARTS

Anton started making artefacts at an early age in his father's workshop, that had an old gothic window to let the light in. Later the possibility of craft becoming art became clear to him.

He had no formal art tuition until late high school at Pretoria Boys High School 1965-1968. This school had a tradition and very high standards of art tuition. Amongst the teachers at PBHS were prominent South African artists Walter Battiss and Larry Scully. Anton was taught by Clinton Harrop-Allen who went on to become Professor of History of Art UNISA. He was also taught by Patrick Glen. He was given further instruction by his Aunt Liz Gerber and some part-time instruction by teachers at Pretoria Tech College in 1970's. That was the sum total of formal art tuition.

Self instruction is a long and arduous path, but there is a greater possibility of doing original and more relevant work in the Arts. 

His favorite artists over the years are: Walter Battiss, Adolf Jentsch, Jean Weltz, all the Impressionists and Vincent Van Gogh.

After a period of a self-imposed apprenticeship, Anton presented at numerous group and one-man shows of his works in major South African cities from 1977 through 2014. He also showed his work in major craft galleries in the United Kingdom and The Netherlands. Most of the wood-fired pottery made at Starways is purchased by visitors who wander up the pottery path. An majority of his work now resides in the homes of people all over South Africa and overseas. 

Pottery influences include Esias Bosch, Hyme Rabinowitz, Bernard Leach and Soji Hamada.