Vase
Hilda Ditchburn
Stoneware
Gift: Mrs Carola Gordon (née Brotherton)
2017/99
Hilda Lutando Ditchburn (née Rose)(b.1917 d.1986)
Hilda Ditchburn obtained a BA (Fine Art) degree from the Durban Art School where she studied under John Oxley (1888-1955). In 1949 she spent time studying at the Central School of Art, London, under Dora Billington (1890-1968), who was extremely influential as a ceramic teacher and champion of the artist/crafter in Britain during the first half of the twentieth century. She promoted ceramics in the European tradition rather than the Oriental tradition favoured by Bernard Leach (1887-1979).
Hilda Ditchburn taught ceramics at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, from 1942-1982. During her 40 years service she trained generations of students and was responsible for building the first stoneware kiln in South Africa to be used for studio ceramics.