Charmaine Haines was born in 1963 in Grahamstown, South Africa. She trained under Hylton Nel at the Port Elizabeth Technikon and obtained a Higher Diploma in Ceramic Design in 1985.

She lectured in Ceramic Design until 2001, when she vacated her respected position as lecturer in Ceramic Design at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to devote herself fully to the production of her own work. In 2002 she relocated to a small Karoo Village. Here she found renewed inspiration for her work in this adopted environment, which she describes as ‘sympathetic’, allowing for a more direct relationship with materials and consequently, being increasingly in touch with her expressive self.

Working within the realm of figurative clay, Charmaine uses both abstract and stylized symbols and motives to embellish both her sculptural and utility forms. Vessels are thrown and altered to incorporate sculptural and semi-relief elements. Coloured stains and natural oxide washes are used to enhance the manipulative and expressive quality of the clay surface.

In 2006 Charmaine and her family relocated to France to take up the challenge of establishing themselves in the European Art Scene. In 2008, after a successful trip, Charmaine returned to the Karoo, South Africa.

“I’m surrounded by the evidence that the Karoo was once an ancient sea – fish and birds have always been part of my iconography. Together with my portraits they’ve become autobiographical design elements that repeat themselves throughout my work adding both a narrative and mythical presence to the forms. I continue to explore my ongoing fascination for Ancient Cultures, African Artifacts and Medieval Iconic Art which embodies a broad interest in the history of art and craft from ancient to industrial. The natural Karoo environment plays an integral part in my day-to-day source of inspiration. It continues to be a place of extremes where the weather has a major influence creating an awareness of both life and death where small things matter.”

In 2010 she was made a Fellow of the Ceramics Southern Africa Association in recognition of her contribution to Ceramics in South Africa.

She has participated in numerous exhibitions in South Africa and overseas. The exhibitions include a solo exhibition at the Associació Ceramistes de Catalunya Gallery, Barcelona, Spain. Her work has been selected for several Biennales namely, the Internationale Ceramique D’Art Biennale, Vallauris, France, the Johannesburg Biennale and as a finalist for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum Biennial Exhibition in 2006. Her work is represented in numerous public and private collections.

Charmaine Haines's is prominently established in the South African ceramic’s scene. Her work forms part of numerous art collections and has been selected to represent South Africa on International exhibitions.

Biography:
1963 - Born, Grahamstown, South Africa
1982 - 1985 - NH Dip Ceramic Design
1987 - 2001 - Lecturer Ceramic Design, PE Technikon, South Africa.
2001 - 2005 - Professional Artist living and working in the Karoo, South Africa.
2006 - Set up a studio in the South of France.

Exhibitions:
1984 - Internationale Ceramique D'Art Biennale, Vallauris, France.
1990 - Exhibition of South African Artists, Geneva, Switzerland.
1994 - ''New Trends'' – Art Hong Kong Cultural Programme.
1994 - Crafts Council of South Africa Exhibition, SA Embassy, London.
1995 - Johannesburg Biennale. ''Africa Earth'', Ceramic exhibition.
2000 - Pavillion de la Creativite exhibition finalist at the Salon International De l'Artisan at de Quagadougou,Burkino Faso representeing SA.
2001 - September. Residency, International Ceramic Centre, Skaelskor, Denmark.
2003 - October. Brett Kebble National Art Awards – finalist. South Africa.
2004/2005/2006 - Klein Karoo National Arts Festival. Solo exhibitions – 'etched in clay'-series.
2004/ 2005 - National Arts Festival.Grahamstown. Solo Exhibitions 'Contemporary Icons' -series.
2005 - Madiba Bay Studio Potters travelling exhibition.Netherlands.
2006 - "A tribute to Picasso by Cape Artists" . Alliance Française Gallery. CapeTown. South Africa.
2006 - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum Biennial Exhibition and Award Finalist.
2007 - 'Birdman' - solo exhibition. Espéchcde. France.
2007/2008 - Collective exhibition. Gallery Artis Factum. Bordeaux. Terra Viva Gallery. Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie. Gallery Fusion. Toulouse. Gallery Anagama.Paris. FRANCE.
2008 - Solo exhibition. Associació Ceramistes de Catalunya Gallery. Barcelona. Spain.
2008 - Talents from a European Journey Exhibition. Rufford Art centre. United Kingdom.
2010 - Ceramics South Africa National Exhibition. Award Winner. Franschoek.

Awards:
2009 - Dept of Arts & Culture, Craft Awards 2009. Category Winner: Eastern Cape Province, Ceramics
2010 - Became a Fellow of Ceramics Southern Africa in recognition for her contribution to Ceramics in South Africa.

Collections:
Musee De Vallauris. Vallauris, France.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
National Art Gallery, Durban, South Africa.
Samlingen Art Collection, Denmark.
William Humphries Gallery, Kimberly, South Africa.
The Corobrik National Collection, Pretoria Art Museum.

Publications:
Contemporary Ceramics South Africa, by Wilma Cruise Art & Decoration Sud-Quest, September 2007
France National Ceramics Quarterly, Winter 2008 edition, South Africa.
TerrArt Revista Ceramics Contemporania, Spain 2008