Murals at Misty Hills Country Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa

Christopher Patton is the designer of all the beautiful murals on display at Misty Hills Country Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa. He was born in 1935 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and is a ceramic designer who also produces individual pieces of pottery and small runs of production pottery. Over the years he has produced every type of handmade ceramic, the largest being the “Setanta” mural in Dublin 40 ft long and 18 ft high. This work took two years to complete.

Chris Patton has been a full time potter for over 40 years. He obtained a degree in fine art (from the Belfast College of Art and Design, graduated in Lithography and ceramics) and was also a teacher for many years. He gained experience in potteries in France, Norway and England before establishing a studio in Hillsborough in Ireland which he ran for ten years. Chris relocated to South Africa in 1982 and established his current studio in an old deep litter chicken house on a plot near Muldersdrift where he lives and works. Chris has worked very closely with the Recreation Africa Group and, at Misty Hills Country Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa (Misty Hills) he has been responsible for:

·         “The reed dance” - new reception area.

·         “Lobola” - conference centre.

·         “Bushman Hunters” - entrance drive way.

·         “African animals” - entrance drive way.

He works mainly in stoneware but has at one time or another experimented with earthenware, porcelain, terra cotta and everything in between! Stoneware, however, remains his preferred medium. He makes his own clay, glazes and most of his colours. He works using oxides on raw glaze, decorating spontaneously with direct brushwork, very much in the Anglo Japanese tradition, looking towards sung dynasty ceramics as a yardstick.

In recent years, murals and decorated wash basins have featured amongst his work however “throwing” has always been the principal creative skill. Recently, with changing trends in ceramics he has been making production runs in terra-cotta or bisque for clients, which requires repetitive throwing. He prefers work to order when possible; in an innovative and creative sphere. His work can be seen at Misty Hills Country Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa as well as the Corobrick Collection in Pretoria.

Chris stipulates that, “the inspiration for all the works I have undertaken at Misty Hills has been African, inspired either by traditional events, animals or history. These murals are to be enjoyed and therefore I always look to a decorative and lively image using my experience of ceramics to create textures and colours unique to pottery. There is often a narrative; the reed dance and lobola for example, while others are formalised animals relying on pattern colour and texture for their statement”.

“The creation of mural is always a challenge, each one requiring a different approach and always seeking a different visual effect. I feel if I don’t get pleasure out of making these murals how can I expect anyone else to. I love my job!”