Initiation

Initiation (1984), 360 X 210 x 160 mm (detail). Collection Peter Amm. Photograph Jac De Villiers.

Imagery:

With Reference made to the story of Jonah in the whale and its connotations of death and rebirth, this sculpture depicts the soul diving from the mouth of a cat. The cat is a symbol of darkness and death and depicts the entrance to Hades situated at the bottom of the mountain. The woman represents the soul, delivered and redeemed from darkness, and initiated into the light of salvation.Two versions of this sculpture were produced.

Initiation (1984), 360 X 210 x 160 mm. Private Collection. Photograph Jac De Villiers.

Two versions of this sculpture were produced. The first (image above) was press-moulded and handbuilt in red and white stoneware clay. The cotton material was dipped in a stained earthenware slip and draped over the base. Stained slips and underglaze colours were painted and flicked on with a toothbrush at the leather-hard stage. Bisquit-fired to 900 degrees Celsius. Additional underglaze colours were applied with an airbrush. The figure was glazed in transparent earthenware glaze (dipped). Entire piece fired to 1060 degrees Celsius.

Initiation (1984), 360 X 210 x 160 mm. Collection Peter Amm. Photograph Jac De Villiers.

The second version was also press-moulded and handbuilt in red and white stoneware clay but included a porcelain figurine. The burnished base was glazed with a raku glaze and fired to 1000 degrees Celsius - cupric sulphate was painted on the burnished areas heated slowly with a blowtorch. The cat was fired in a stoneware reduction kiln whilst the porcelain figurine fired to 1250 in a oxidation firing. The various parts were attached with adhesives.

Drawings for Immortality gained series (1984).