info@traycitompkins.co.za

About

artist

I credit international abstract artist and art mentor Louise Fletcher for my deep dive journey into painting. Because of her and our international Art Tribe, 2019 and 2020 developed into a phenomenally creative time in my artistic development.

VIEW LATEST CONTEMPORY ARTWORK

BIOGRAPHY

Ceramic maker and fine artist Trayci Tompkins trained in Theater Crafts and Performing Arts before a well-loved career in print media. But it was the life of the artist that was to become her passion after she took a course with acclaimed London based Sudanese potter Mo Abdalla in London. Tompkins always knew that clay, and now paint, would become her way of expressing a narrative.   Something that has become a thread through all her artwork.

Since establishing the South African trademarked brand Zulu Lulu and creating the iconic ‘The Dlamini Collection’ back in 2003, Tompkins has grown her career as an independent ceramic artist. Throughout her career she has empowered the lives of others through sustainable employment and contributed to the continued success of Art makers by establishing and curating an acclaimed Fine Art Gallery in the KZN Midlands.

In 2018 she sold the Zulu Lulu brand and Art Gallery and now, in 2021 has past the iconic Dlamini brand baton on to a new custodian.. All this in order to focus back on developing her own artistic journey .  In 2019 Tompkins was awarded the Premier Prize for ceramics from Ceramics Southern Africa KZN. And is now represented in the prestigious Corobrick Collection housed in the Pretoria Arts Museum, South Africa.

After 20 years of successful exhibitions and a healthy following for her statement ceramics, Tompkins is incorporating semi abstract art into her studio mix.

It is with this rich tapestry of experience, entrepreneurial spirit and love of storytelling that inspire the artists’ ceramics, painting, blog posts and magazine articles. .

Link to my story ..

ARTIST STATEMENT

I was born to be a maker, a traveller and a storyteller… It is through these things that I find inspiration for my art. Although I work intuitively when I paint, there is always an underlying narrative and layering that engages me, inviting the viewer to step in closer.

PUBLIC ART COLLECTIONS

Corobrick Collection, Pretoria Arts Museum, South Africa

GALLERY AFFILITATIONS

Zulu lulu Gallery, Midlands, South Africa

Art of Africa Gallery, High Wycombe, United Kingdom

Clarens Treasure Box Gallery, Clarens

SOLO EXHIBITIONS – CERAMICS

  • 2004               West Gallery Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS – CERAMICS

  • 1995               Association of Potters Southern Africa
  • 1996               Association of Potters Southern Africa      Merit Award
  • 2000               Association of Potters Southern Africa
  • 2001               Association of Potters Southern Africa      Merit Award
  • 2002               Association of Potters Southern Africa
  • 2003               Association of Potters Southern Africa
  • 2015               Ceramics Southern Africa KZN                    Merit Award
  • 2016               Ceramics Southern Africa Gauteng – Selection Judge
  • 2017               Ceramics Southern Africa Gauteng – Invited artist
  • 2019               Ceramics Southern Africa KZN                    Premier Award         

GROUP EXHIBITIONS – CERAMICS

  • 1998               Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg
  • 1999               Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg
  • 1999               Bordeaux Street Gallery, Franschhoek
  • 1999               Art Expo, Cottage Framers Gallery, Hilton
  • 2000               Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg
  • 2001               Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg
  • 2002               Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg
  • 2002               Art @ Wedgewood, Hilton
  • 2003               Art Al Fresco, Nottingham Road
  • 2003               Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg
  • 2003               Art @ Wedgewood, Hilton
  • 2004               Art Al Fresco, Nottingham Road
  • 2004               Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg
  • 2004               Art @ Wedgewood, Hilton
  • 2004               Decadence Art Expo, Midlands
  • 2004               Shining Stars Exhibition, NSA Gallery, Durban
  • 2004               ART & FOOD exhibition, MACS Gallery, Pietermaritzburg
  • 2005               Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg
  • 2005               Nineteen Degrees Gallery, Hilton
  • 2005               Fired Earth, Indigo Fields Gallery, Midlands
  • 2005               55 Teapots, Johan Smit Gallery, Clarens
  • 2005               Summer Show, Art of Africa Gallery, United Kingdom
  • 2006               Decorex, Durban
  • 2006               Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg
  • 2006               Decorex, Johannesburg
  • 2006               Art @ Wedgewood, Hilton
  • 2007               PMB Personalities @ NSA gallery, Durban
  • 2007               KIZO Art Gallery, Umhlanga
  • 2007               Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg
  • 2008               Decorex, Johannesburg
  • 2009               Decorex, Johannesburg
  • 2010               Showcase Exhibition, ZULU LULU Gallery, Midlands
  • 2011               3 Non Blondes, Hilton Arts Festival, Hilton
  • 2012               3 Non Blondes, Hilton Arts Festival, Hilton
  • 2013               3 Non Blondes, Hilton Arts Festival, Hilton
  • 2014               Meander Showcase, Hilton Arts Festival, Hilton
  • 2015               Meander Showcase, Hilton Arts Festival, Hilton
  • 2017               Heritage Exhibition, ZULU LULU Galley, Midlands
  • 2018               Summer Show, Art of Africa Gallery, United Kingdom               
  • 2018               FynArts, Hermanus Arts Festival, Hermanus
  • 2020               FynArts, Hermanus Arts Festival, Hermanus

GROUP EXHIBITIONS – PAINTING

  • 2020               Virtual Exhibitions – New Art for you / Hilton Arts Festival
  • 2020 Collective Exhibit, SKEW SPACE Gallery, Karkloof, KZN
  • 2022 Lansdown Art Studios – Open studios, Cheltenham, UK
  • 2023 Spring Gallery – Montpellier, Cheltenham, Uk
  • 2023 Cheltenham Open Studios – Lansdown Art Studios, Cheltenham, UK

GALLERY