Fynbos Vase with Red Watsonias and Pincushions (collaboration)

Fynbos Vase with Red Watsonias and Pincushions is a collaborative ceramic artwork created by Maureen Visagé and myself, inspired by the vibrant diversity of the Cape fynbos. Maureen hand-built the vessel in her studio, shaping the clay to give the vase its sculptural form. When the clay reached a leather-dry state, it became my canvas. I painted a flowing composition of red Watsonias and pincushions, their fiery orange tones capturing the warmth, energy and resilience of the fynbos landscape. Working with underglazes, I applied multiple layers to achieve depth and intensity, knowing that the final colours would only fully reveal themselves after firing. I find this medium especially liberating, the kiln introduces an element of surprise, transforming the painted surface in ways that cannot be completely predicted. This sense of anticipation is part of the joy of working with ceramics. Each of us brought our own craft to the piece: Maureen through clay, fire and glaze, and myself through paint and botanical detail. Together, this vase celebrates the bold beauty of our indigenous flora and the shared pleasure of collaborating to honour the landscapes that inspire us.