Master Potter Nico Liebenberg Fund

By: Nicolaas Liebenberg
Short URL: https://archive.backabuddy.co.za/nicolaas-liebenberg-5785501889317758370
Date Created: 16 December 2023

Funds Raised:
R 42 356

Fundraising Target:
R 250 000

Personal message

Warmest Greetings.

My name is Dr. Adrienne Kennedy.

I am a medical doctor who works in South Africa and the United Kingdom.

I am an old friend of Nico’s.

I am a collector of art and craft. My passion is collecting the ceramics of South African and British potters. Nico Liebenberg is one of South Africa’s Master Potters. He received a devastating diagnosis a few weeks ago - Grade 4 cancer, which he is fighting bravely.

This fund will help to provide the care that Nico requires when he is discharged from hospital. It will also enable his partner, Ronel, to navigate a new career path.

Nico Liebenberg is a humble potter who has been motivated by traditional techniques of pottery throwing and firing. He works in the so called 'Anglo Oriental' style. His career started in 1987 when he was an apprentice to Brian Hayden.

Nico lives in Rheenendal, a small hamlet nestled in the Knysna forest, which is on the scenic Garden Route of South Africa.
He often collects his own clay from the local area and mills it himself.

He makes all of his own glazes, using local wood ash.Nowadays he fires his work in a gas kiln which he has used since the early 1990s. Prior, he used a wood firing kiln. He also does raku firing.

Nico makes small and large functional ceramic ware; the finished product being an exquisite art form in its own right. His work ranges in size from tiny tea bowls to large casserole dishes, to huge wine making vessels.

Nico is a giant of a man - not only does his physical appearance resemble that of a Viking, but his dedication and attitude to his craft is simply enormous - it is sheer abundance - in the number of works that he produces and in the astounding excellence thereof.

Nico has spent most of his adult life making pots. All ceramicists know how difficult it is to generate income in this field as glass and ceramic craft is often overlooked in the art world. Nico has had to work extremely hard as he did not benefit from a surprise inheritance in his youth nor a capital injection from an outside source when he was older. He has been able to support himself and his family over the years due to his determination, the high quality of the work that he produces and the support of his loyal national and international clients.

Nico is worthy of being awarded the status of National Treasure.

Let us honor him and his family and the legacy that he will leave behind.
Let us do something wonderful for this talented potter who aside from making covetable items, has always shown kindness to others.

Update. Nico died peacefully, while sleeping, on Tuesday 19 December at 20h30. He will be missed hugely by his family, friends and the ceramics community.
This fund will remain open for receiving donations in order to contribute towards his family, partner and estate.

With very grateful thanks.

Donations

Dec 28, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"To help speed you on your way my beloved friend. Always and forever in my heart." - Janis

Dec 21, 2023 - R 200.00 Fees covered
"Thank you for the sharing your art with all of us" - Gail Brown

Dec 21, 2023 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"Deepest sympathies to all Nico's loved ones and friends. He will be sorely missed by so many. His legacy lives on in so many memories and all the beautiful work he made and people he touched in his life." - Ann Marais

Dec 20, 2023 - R 200.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Dec 20, 2023 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Dec 20, 2023 - R 462.75 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Dec 20, 2023 - R 1 000.00
"Sending love to you Nico ..." - Derek Saul

Dec 20, 2023 - R 1 850.99 Fees covered
"Darling Nico - your favourite Grahamstown Girls (Bokkies 1 and 2) are thinking of you and spurring you forward to good health and the strength to fight the good fight. Sending you massive love and hugs xxx" - Selina White

Dec 19, 2023 - USD $ 5.84 Fees covered
"Baie sterkte Nico,ons bid vir jou" - Anonymous

Dec 19, 2023 - R 200.00 Fees covered
"All the best on your journey Nico" - Anonymous

Dec 19, 2023 - USD $ 11.68 Fees covered
"Wishing you the very best on yoir journey of health and recovery. Love you life." - Arleen

Dec 19, 2023 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Dec 19, 2023 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"Keep fighting" - Anonymous

Dec 19, 2023 - R 925.50 Fees covered
"Love and peace" - Anonymous

Dec 19, 2023 - R 300.00 Fees covered
"All the Love and best of luck Nico!" - Anonymous

Dec 19, 2023 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
"Lig en liefde my spesiale vriend." - Estelle du Toit

Dec 19, 2023 - R 200.00
"All the very best of luck with this journey. May you always see the joy in your days." - Anonymous

Dec 19, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Gaby Droomer Snyman

Dec 19, 2023 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"Much love and hugs xxx" - Anonymous

Dec 19, 2023 - USD $ 5.84 Fees covered
"prayers of peace for you and the family" - Anonymous

Dec 19, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"I pray for your full recovery. You once gifted my mother a bowl at the market. She was a stranger to you so it was a gesture we'll never forget. I have a beautifully crafted salad bowl, a work of art from you. I also enjoy a few of your Japanese cup" - Judith

Dec 18, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"Strengths Nico" - Anonymous

Dec 18, 2023 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"All our best wishes, Nico." - Anonymous

Dec 18, 2023 - USD $ 58.93 Fees covered
"Vir jare 'n mede-pottebakker met groot admirasie vir jou werk. Sterkte." - Anonymous

Dec 18, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"Sterkte!" - Anonymous

Dec 18, 2023 - USD $ 117.86 Fees covered
"Thinking of you, Nico, during this difficult time. Sending love" - Anonymous

Dec 18, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"Big love." - Graham and Kim

Dec 18, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"I use some of Nico’s ceramic pieces regularly. He’s a great potter. Wishing him all the best. Warm regards from Clementina and Albie" - Clementina Ceramics

Dec 18, 2023 - R 5 000.00 Fees covered
"Best wishes, Nico. Our thoughts and prayers are with you." - Anonymous

Dec 18, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Dec 18, 2023 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
"Nico en Red, In ons gedagtes en gebede. Liefde." - Mark en Llise Dodd

Dec 18, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Dec 18, 2023 - R 200.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Dec 18, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Fanie Terblanche

Dec 17, 2023 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"Prayers and hope Nico, you can beat this thing." - Patrick S

Dec 17, 2023 - R 500.00 Fees covered
"Sending healing light Nic." - Rose

Dec 17, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Lindsay scott

Dec 17, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Dec 17, 2023 - R 100.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Dec 17, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"My Brother" - Richard Pullen

Dec 17, 2023 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
"Wishing Nico all the best, he is a ceramic icon in South Africa🍃" - Rika Herbst

Dec 17, 2023 - R 1 000.00
"Xxxxxxxxx" - anna

Dec 17, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Dec 17, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Anonymous

Dec 17, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
"" - Hennie Meyer

Statistics

Fundraising target

R 250 000.00

Donations to date

R 42 355.57

Master Potter Nico Liebenberg Fund Campaign

Greetings,

I'm Dr. Adrienne Kennedy, a medical doctor working in South Africa and the United Kingdom. I'm an art and craft collector, particularly passionate about South African and British pottery. Nico Liebenberg, an esteemed South African Master Potter and an old friend of mine, is facing Grade 4 cancer.

This fund aims to support Nico's post-hospital care and assist his partner, Ronel, in pursuing a new career. Nico, a humble potter, follows traditional techniques in the 'Anglo Oriental' style. Based in Rheenendal, he creates functional ceramic ware, ranging from tiny tea bowls to large casserole dishes.

Nico's dedication to his craft is immense, resembling a Viking in both appearance and attitude. Despite the challenges in generating income as a ceramicist, he has supported his family through determination and exceptional work quality. Let's recognize Nico as a National Treasure, honoring his legacy and kindness.

Gratefully,
Dr. Adrienne Kennedy