Biography

Ceramic Artist | Cultural Producer | Researcher | IAC Member

Rika Herbst is a South African ceramic artist and cultural producer whose practice integrates contemporary ceramics, heritage preservation, and creative leadership. After a successful career in marketing, she switched to ceramics in 2003, establishing her studio. Her sculptural work is inspired by natural forms, particularly trees, which serve as symbols of cultural memory, interconnectedness, and resilience. She specializes in atmospheric and wood-firing techniques that highlight texture, process, and materiality.

Rika is deeply committed to fostering cultural dialogue through clay. Her exploration of wood-firing and atmospheric surfaces is matched by her work as a cultural organizer and advocate.

Rika focuses on documenting and archiving South Africa’s ceramic heritage, with a strong emphasis on supporting underrepresented artists and preserving intangible cultural knowledge. She was part of the organising team of the inaugural South African Clay Awards in 2024 and founded Clay Connect, a platform for professional development, exhibitions, and cultural exchange. Additionally, she produces ClayChat, a YouTube-based video series in which she interviews artists and shares insights into ceramic practice, community, and culture. Through research, video, exhibitions, and advocacy, she is committed to building visibility for African ceramics on the global stage.

Collections:

• Quomo Art Gallery, Jingdezhen, China 2024
• Shanghai Institute of Visual Art 2023
• Jianshui Purple Pottery Museum 2023
• Ceramics Museum, Aveiro Portugal 2016
• 5th Changchun International Ceramics Museum, China 2016
• National Museum of Slovenia, 2015Ceramics Museum, Aveiro Portugal 2013
• Bloemfontein War Museum South Africa 2013
• Cluj International Ceramics Biennale, Romania 2013    
• KERAMEIKON Collection of Contemporary World Ceramics, Croatia 2012
• Corobrick Collection Pretoria 2011

Awards & Competitions:

Oct 2017 – 3rd Cluj Ceramics Biennale 2017 Cluj-Napoca Romania

Oct 2017 – XIII International Biennial of Artistic Ceramics of Aveiro, Portugal

Aug 2016 – Ceramica Multiplex 2016 Croatia

Nov 2015 – XII Bienal de Cerâmica Artística de Aveiro, Portugal

May 2015 – III Triennial of Ceramics UNICUM 2015 Slovenia

July 2013 – Cluj International Ceramics Biennale 2013 Romania

July 2013 – 11ª Biennial International Artistic Ceramics Exhibition Aveiro, Portugal 2013

Aug 2012 – SA Handmade Collection Decorex – Gold Award, Best Stand South Africa

Aug 2012 – The Iconic Handmade Piece South Africa –Decorex Gauteng South Africa

Aug 2012 – Ceramica Multiplex 2012 Croatia – Honourable Mention

Aug 2011 – Decorex – SA Handmade Collection – Award for Best Product Design South Africa

Aug 2011 – CSA Regional Exhibition – Highly Commended Award South Africa

Jun 2011 – Gyeonggi International CeraMIX Biennale 2011, Korea – Certificate of Honor

Apr 2011 – 9^th International Ceramics Competition, Mino, Japan – Honourable Mention

Oct 2010 – CSA National Exhibition – Best Porcelain Piece, South Africa

Aug 2009 – Icons – Decorex – SA Handmade Collection South Africa

Residencies, Symposia, Festivals:

• Taoxhicuan International Clay Studio, Jingdezhen 2024
• 5^th Shanghai – Yunnan Jianshui International Woodfired Ceramics Festival, China 2023
• 5th Changchun International Ceramics Symposium, China 2016

Membership:

• International Academy of Ceramics
• Ceramics South Africa- Western Cape

Workshops presented:

• July 2023 – Wood-firing Meraki Woodfire Kiln – Northvale, Krugersdorp, Gauteng
• June 2023 – Introduction to Paperclay/Porcelain – Giverny Studios, KwaZulu Natal
• June 2023 – Advanced Paper porcelain lights – Giverny Studios, KwaZulu Natal
• Nov 2022 – Porcelain Paperclay – Rushmere Farm, Sedgefield, Eastern Cape
• October 2022 – Porcelain Paperclay – Melissa Barker Studio, Western Cape
• June 2022 – Porcelain Paperclay – Giverny Studios, KwaZulu Natal
• June 2022 – Wood-firing Meraki the Woodfire kiln with special Guest Hennie Meyer – Northvale, Gauteng
• Mar 2022 – Porcelain Paperclay – Ceramics @ Kleynstein Studio, Pretoria

Other exhibitions include: