Dikeni Arts & Crafts Cc

I was born and educated in the sugar town of Stanger on the KwaZulu Natal North Coast. I obtained a BA degree in Human Movement Science from the University of Fort Hare. After graduate school, I became an educator for 2 years and then embarked on a business career; hence joining the business fraternity in Alice situated in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. I started turning wood on a Toolmate lathe in 2002, under the guidance of professional woodturner Nico Swart who has had the greatest influence on my work. Recently, more of my time and energy has been devoted to woodturning as I have found it a pleasurable way to express myself. I attended a master class given by prominent UK woodturner, Mick ODonell who has helped me improve my techniques and gain further insight into my artistic approaches. I focus mainly on one-off pieces. I am a member of the following Guilds and Associations Port Elizabeth Woodturners Guild PEWG The Association of Woodturners of South Africa AWSA The American Association of Woodturners AAW Grahamstown Woodworkers Group Eastern Province Society of Arts and Crafts EPSAC East London Fine Arts Society I also demonstrate on various aspects of woodturning because I believe that woodturning today has to be preserved. Currently my passion for wood and desire to show it off in the best possible way has steered me to the creative art of Resin Inlay turning. I concentrate on turning items with the Out of Africa theme. When I am not busy in my workshop, you will find me on the Fort Beaufort Golf Course, where I am also the Captain. I am an active Tabler at Fort Beaufort Round Table No 62. MY WOODTURNING ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS 2002 Strand Hardware Wood Fair Exhibition Merit Award Spindle Work 2003 Exhibited at Ezama Xhosa Crafts Merit Award Drift Wood Turning Merit Award Face Plate Turning Merit Award Lidded Box 2004 PEWG Face Plate Work – Coastland Sales Trophy PEWG Participation League Laser Tech Trophy April, work published in The Home Handyman 2005 Runner up PEWG Intermediate Face Plate Section Runner up PEWG Intermediate Open Category Work selected for EPSAC Annual Exhibition Merit Award Face Plate Work 2006 PEWG James Nash Trophy Open Category PEWG Keith Taylor Trophy Best Face Plate Work Work selected for EPSAC Annual Exhibition Received a favorable crit from Stuart Mortimer during the 2006 AWSA Congress instant gallery critique. My work was one of six pieces highlighted for originality and uniqueness. September 2006, work published in The Home Handyman 2007 PEWG DunDonald Trophy Best Spindle Work PEWG Keith Taylor Trophy Best Face Plate Work PEWG James Nash Trophy Open Section Exhibited at the AWSA 2007 Congress and received a crit from Butch Smuts and Bonnie Klein April 2007, work published in The Home Handyman Entered Spier Contemporary 2007 Exhibited at the Laughing Feathers Art Gallery Commissioned work for the Department of Justice Exhibited at the East London Fine Arts Society Miniature Exhibition Exhibited at the Manzikanya Safari Lodge American, Danish, Spanish & Chinese hunters