Maggie Mikula

Maggie Mikula was born in Durban on 19 August 1941. She attended St Mary’s School in Durban and matriculated in 1959.  She then went on to study for a Diploma in Commercial Art at the Durban Institute of Technology (DIT, now Durban University of Technology) in 1962. She also did part-time studies with the ceramicist James Hall while at DIT.  For the remainder Maggie was self-taught.

Working within a commercial and artistic environment, which at the time was strongly Eurocentric in its influences and aspirations, Mikula was one of the first of her generation of South African ceramicists to draw from South Africa’s own rich indigenous cultural heritage. This was a reflection of a lifestyle and system of beliefs that held great respect for local history, culture and tradition.

She held a vision of a contemporary South Africa that was culturally all-inclusive while remaining strongly African, a vision true to the mix of cultures and traditions that make up South Africa as we know it today.

Mikula’s early work drew largely from natural organic forms. Crafted with meticulous care and attention to detail, her pieces had a precious small-scale monumentality. This became a trademark of her style.

In the late seventies Mikula became inspired by local traditional craftwork. The shapes and textures of the ‘Ukhamba’ (the traditional Zulu beer pot), the geometric designs found on vinyl earplugs or the ’Amasumpa’ (pyramid shaped carvings) found on traditional wooden meat-platters greatly influenced her work.

In the 1980s Mikula began incorporating beadwork and weaving into her finely detailed designs. She produced totemic, loom and drum-like forms. Mikula won the Corobrik National Ceramics Award in 1984 and the APSA (Association of Potters in Southern Africa) 1985 National Prize. Her work can be found in the permanent collections of the Durban Art Gallery, the Tatham Art Gallery, the Pretoria Art Gallery, the Phansi Museum and many private collections locally and internationally.

After a long struggle with cancer, Maggie Mikula died on 29 July, 1989.