Leda and the Swan

Leda and the Swan (1986) MFA work, 210x 420x125. Collection Peter Amm (his previous home displaying the work is featured below) 


This particular work is one of my favourite sculptures. Made during my masters at UCT in 1986, it is the first work to feature on this blog specifically as a Gallery. Every so often I will feature an earlier work, the archival label will feature as a Gallery with the date - e.g. Gallery 1986 (as in this case). Visitors to the blog will be able to access all previous works this particular way. 

Ceramic Technique. 
Press- moulded in white stoneware clay. Airbrushed and painted with stained earthenware slips and under-glaze colours. A matt-black glaze was used as the base colour for the tongue. The 'fish' and 'asparagus' were glazed in a transparent earthenware glaze (painted on) Fired to 1060 degrees Celsius.  

Leda and the Swan - visual reference. (left) Greek god Zeus in the form of a swan (with Leda) Late Roman sculpture.


Imagery of Ceramic Sculpture: 
The mortal achieving immortality is represented sailing on a ship to the underworld. The figurehead, a swan, symbol of purity and the righteousness of God, ensures a happy death and safe journey to the underworld. 'Greek mythology is full of animal symbolism. Zeus, the father of the gods, often approaches a girl he desires in the shape of a swan, a bull or an eagle (Jung, Carl J. Man and his symbols). The protuberant tongue is symbolic of a change from darkness to light. The subject is enticed to become impregnated by the spirit, represented as God's phallus in the form of an asparagus. The asparagus pierces the Veil that once separated the mortal from immortality. The fish is symbolic of immortality; hence the metamorphosis of the two blissful twins, Youth and Joy.Zeus, the father of the gods, often approaches a girl he desires in the shape of a swan, a bull or an eagle (Jung, Carl J. Man and his symbols).






















Peter Amm house, featuring the sculpture, Glen Beach, Cape Town. as cited in the Fair Lady Magazine in April of 1986. 

View of the atrium of the house; view towards the sea.

The stoep; view of the sea and the mountains.