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Bhaca Planter

by Andille Dyalvane
for Indigenus Planters

Bhaca Planter

by Andille Dyalvane
for  Indigenus Planters

or Call to Order

The Bhaca planter collec­tion, designed by Andille Dyal­vane for Indi­genus, is a remark­able ensem­ble of stone planters with a profound connec­tion to his Xhosa heritage. Bhaca, meaning scar­i­fi­ca­tion,” serves as a vessel to mark rites of passage, clan iden­ti­fi­ca­tion, and healing, typi­cally mani­fested through deli­cate inci­sions on the skin, most commonly on the cheeks.

Andile’s artis­tic vision is to preserve and share the cultural signif­i­cance of this ancient tradi­tion, tran­scend­ing bound­aries by chan­nel­ing its essence into clay. In a mesmer­iz­ing dance of crafts­man­ship, he cuts into the clay, care­fully coaxing open the inci­sions where they inter­sect as if tenderly unveil­ing the essence within.

Each piece has been metic­u­lously scanned and scaled up from its orig­i­nal smaller clay vessels, result­ing in awe-inspir­ing, impact­ful forms crafted from stone. Andile’s narra­tive finds expres­sion through these grand creations, invit­ing the world to partake in the capti­vat­ing tale of cultural heritage, crafts­man­ship, and ancestral reverence.

Video

Andille Dyalvane

Andile Dyalvane, a prominent ceramic artist from South Africa, expresses his deep spiritual connection to his Xhosa ancestors through his intricate and large-scale ceramic artworks. Born in Ngobozana, a small village in the Eastern Cape, Dyalvane's upbringing as a farmer instilled in him a profound bond with the land and Xhosa culture, which he beautifully conveys in his creations. Clay, or "umhlaba" (mother earth), serves as a life-affirming connection to the soil and a medium for storytelling, bridging his past, present, and future.

Having completed his art and design education, including a ceramic design diploma, Dyalvane co-founded Imiso Ceramics in 2005 alongside Zizipho Poswa. The studio gained international recognition for its handmade tableware and vessels. Influenced by the ancient African tradition of body scarification, Dyalvane developed a unique language of incision marks, which continues to inspire his collectible work for the Southern Guild. He explores more complex ideas with Southern Guild, focusing on sculptural and monumental qualities, creating a distinct space for his artistic expression.

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