South African ceramist Hennie Meyer (b.1965) works predominantly in earthenware, creating distinctly unique pieces. His creative output is founded on the physical creation of multiple objects. It is from this base of multiplication that all else flows. His pattern of lateral thinking allows him to translate effortlessly from intellectual and philosophical ideas into an ongoing stream of abstract, physical forms that are fit for purpose and endlessly diverse in visual expression.
“Clay is a passion and obsession. It is my preferred means of communication. Finding the perfect balance between form, surface and structure is always a challenge, an emotional struggle. The mere existence of this powerful energy makes it so appealing to work in clay.”

He studied ceramics in Australia and South Africa. Hennie’s work is exhibited in South Africa, Europe, the UK and Asia. He participated in Ceramic Art London for seven consecutive years. His work is included in numerous private and public collections, notably those of the Iziko Museums of South Africa, Corobrik Collection, The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Gallery, Sasol Museum, the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum and the Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale Collection in Korea. He has won several awards and his work is covered in several local and international publications.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2025
'Riven', EBONY/CURATED, Franschhoek, South Africa
'400g [of clay]', Art Formes Gallery, Woodstock, South Africa

2024
ABSA Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees, Oudtshoorn, South Africa

2022
'VASE', Rust-en-Vrede Gallery, Durbanville, South Africa

2021
'Vaaskolonie', MOK Gallery, Muratie Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2020
'Pots with Attitude', The CUBE, Clay Museum, Rust-en Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum, Durbanville, South Africa

2019
‘The Twelfth Language’, EBONY/CURATED, Franschhoek, South Africa
‘X’, US Woordfees, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2017
‘Full Circle’ EBONY/CURATED, Franschhoek, South Africa
‘After the Party’, Rust en Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum, Durbanville, South Africa

2015
‘Solar’, Tim Andrews Gallery, Devon, United Kingdom

2014
‘Die gras is altyd groener …’, ABSA Klein Karoo Nasionale, Oudtshoorn, South Africa

2012
‘Quinci Inspired’, Rust en Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum, Durbanville, South Africa

2010
‘Form and Design’, Degas Gallery, Shanghai, China

2008
‘Veelvoud’, ABSA Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees, Oudtshoorn, South Africa
‘Stripped’, Art.b Gallery, Bellville, South Africa

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025
'The Cutting Edge', Art Soko Gallery, Woodstock, South Africa

2024
'Homo Faber: The Journey of Life', Curated by the Michelangelo Foundation, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice, Italy
'Embodied Narratives', THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE Gallery, Lisbon, Portugal
'Compressing Materiality', EBONY/CURATED, Cape Town, South Africa
Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Art Formes, Cape Town, South Africa

2023
'IN SHAPE', Duo exhibition with Theo Vorster, RK Contemporary, Riebeek-Kasteel, South Africa
Solo Studios - Intimate Art Encounters, with Ade Kipades, Riebeek-Kasteel, South Africa

2022
Summer Curation, Nel Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa

2021
International coffee cup competition, Yingge Ceramics Museum, New Taipei City, Taiwan

2020
'Re-Imagining Clay In South Africa In The 21st Century', EBONY/CURATED, Franschhoek, South Africa

2019
‘Connected By Fire’, Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum, Durbanville, South Africa
‘VASE’, Sarah Walters Ceramics Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
‘SELF’, Gallery @Glen Carlou, Paarl, South Africa
Turbine Art Fair, Anthony Shapiro Collect, Johannesburg, South Africa
‘Dwell In Possibility’, Centenary Art Gallery UFS, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Korean International Ceramic Biennale, Icheon, South Korea

2017
'Bosch in Africa', US Woordfees, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
'Word of Clay', US Woordfees, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
'Keramikus', US Woordfees, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2016
Corobrik Ceramic Biennale, Durbanville, South Africa
‘Huisgenoot 100’, Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees, Oudtshoorn, South Africa

2013
‘Wordly Goods’, Majlis Gallery, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2010
'Ceramic Conversations', with Clementina van der Walt, UCT Irma Stern Museum, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2009
5th World Ceramic Biennale, Icheon World Ceramic Center, Icheon, South Korea
DTI Ceramic Ikons, Decorex, Johannesburg, South Africa

2008
First Shanghai International Modern Pot Art Biennale, Shanghai Arts & Crafts Museum, Shanghai, China

2005-2010
Ceramic Art London, Royal College of Art, London, United Kingdom

RESIDENCIES

2017
Kholia17, Kohila Symposium, Kohila, Estonia

COLLECTIONS
Corobrik Ceramic Collection, Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria, South Africa
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum collection, Gqeberha, South Africa
Iziko Museums collection, Cape Town, South Africa
Stellenbosch University Museum, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biënnale collection, Icheon, South Korea
Rust-en-Vrede Gallery + Clay Museum collection, Durbanville, South Africa
World Ceramic Exposition Foundation (WOCEF) collection, Icheon, South Korea

PUBLICATIONS
Barrell, O. (2023) Clay Formes: Contemporary clay from South Africa. Cape Town: Art Formes.
Carnegy, D. (2011) Maiolica. London, Philadelphia: A & C Black ; University of Pennsylvania Press.
Tourtillott, S.J.E. (2006) 500 pitchers: Contemporary expressions of a classic form. New York: Lark Books.
Tourtillott, S.J.E., Lawton, J. and Kopp, L. (2002) 500 teapots: Contemporary Explorations of a timeless design. New York: Lark Books.
Tourtillott, S.J.E. (2002) 500 bowls: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Design. New York: Lark Books.