Vessel

2023

ceramic (white raku clay)

15 x 12 cm

A sailor who once sailed the sea uses art to translate the emotions of the subconscious, bringing an idea into life.

Creating with ceramics has allowed me to be present in the moment, forming and shaping the clay, allowing the mind to slow down. Using the clay as a palette, I wanted to depict how small our man-made marvels are when compared to Mother Nature – which is best represented in my mind by a print made by Hokusai, The great wave off Kanagawa. To this, I have added a vessel I once served on.

White raku clay was used with slab-build techniques, with needlepoint etching on the surface. The clay was fired using a traditional Japanese raku style, removing the item from the kiln once it reached the desired temperature and allowed to cool, while smothered on a bed of Jarrah sawdust.

In some ways, clay is similar to water. It can be formed and shaped and adapted to the current environment, like a reflection of one’s experience.