Shelley Maisel

Artist origin:            South Africa

Primary focus:        Ceramics

Shelley Maisel is an esteemed South African ceramicist who has garnered widespread recognition. Shelley's work reflects her passions and influences, showcasing a harmonious interplay of shapes, intricate and rhythmic patterns, and bold colors.

The clay's texture, along with hand-painted lines, edges and circles, embody artistic expressions inspired by primitive cultures.

For Shelley, ceramics is more than a craft; it is a profound passion woven into her everyday life. With over 25 years of experience, she cherishes every step of the creative process. Creating ceramics is a journey of consciousness for Shelley — a tactile and close connection between her hands and the materials themselves. As she shapes vessels and bowls, she allows the clay to find its own form, following its natural flow while infusing her personal touch.

Shelley's creations embody a fusion of artistic heritage, personal exploration, and a deep appreciation for the transformative qualities of clay. Her inspiration draws from a myriad of sources, with a particular affinity for African, Aboriginal, Pre-Colombian, Oceanic, American Indian, and South American art. The vibrant colors, intricate designs, symbolic motifs, and nature-inspired elements in these art forms captivate and influence her own creative expression. 

In honoring the traditions of these cultures, Shelley employs the ancient hand-building techniques of coiling (rolling pieces of clay into thin ropes that are then skillfully joined together) and pinching (which relies solely on the artist's hands to shape and mold a ball of clay).