Latest work.

Ceramic installation with projected animation.

Title: and the ship sails on.

Photos: Jan Potgieter

The animation is on a loop and ultimately starts in brightness, the projectors light bearing down on four light absorbing three dimensional decoy-ducks, strategically placed in their spot, on a carefully constructed oval shaped base. The projected light echoes the shape of the support structure, it does so due to an ellipse constructed stencil, attached to the projector - bolted to the ceiling. 

 The first images to make its appearance, is the blue ballpoint pen drawings simulating water (inspired by the water in the moon flask), animated in different sizes and hues, creating depth in the projected surface, forming the backdrop at the start of the animation. The animated water moves from left to right, creating an illusion of the ducks swimming in the water.

 Fading in and projected onto two of the decoy-ducks are the top view ballpoint pen drawings of the ducks, encapsulating their three-dimensional forms, reiterating the handmade process that preceded their existence on the plinth. A luminous blue is projected onto the two remaining decoy-ducks, creating an interesting composition of various animated surface options; a celebration of their three dimensional forms. These are strong voluptuous modernist forms, inspired by my mentor’s stylized conventions, stripped of all decoration – then considered a crime.

Then suddenly the animated cobalt-blue five-clawed dragon, makes its appearance, moving through the layered images reminiscent of water. 

He is very large, creating interesting negative spaces as he sweeps his claws over the ceramic deco-duck installation, bringing forth change (a creature of the sea –power over the elements and seasons). He is the cultural symbol of China, but more importantly he enjoys historic significance in our world of clay. 

He is as powerful today as he was when he first made his appearance on the moonflask painted centuries ago (the reference for this work).  

This is a celebration of the handmade, closely associated with the crafts, the beauty it brings and offers to those that value the joy of making.

The five clawed dragon sweeps across the decoy-duck installation, effortlessly moving over the three –dimensional forms, his spirit imbues each decoy-duck with the joys of spring, sprays of peonys in a variety of colours, pink, red and blue. 

Peonies in a variety of colours envelope each of the four luminous, sunlit yellow decoy-ducks. These flowers are symbols of riches and honour.  

Beauty is bestowed upon all whom his spirit touches; they radiate warmth, the abundance and joy of spring –as they enter a reinvented “Arcadia”.