This ceramic vase marks the very first collaboration between myself and Cape Town ceramic artist Maureen Visagé. Inspired by the forms and textures of the Cape’s fynbos biome, we focused this piece on the iconic King Protea, Everlastings flowers, and Leucadendron flames.
Maureen hand-built the vessel – shaping it in her studio. When the clay reached the perfect leather-hard stage, it became my canvas. I painted directly onto its surface using pigmented underglazes.
To complement the painted forms, I incised textures into the clay, creating depth and movement across the surface.
After this, Maureen took the piece through its complex firing journey, applying glazes with restraint and adding her signature gold luster highlights that catch the light beautifully.
This piece set the tone for our ongoing series — an artwork that speaks of botanical reverence, patience, and shared creative energy.
