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Antoinette Du Plessis
Calligraphic Vessel

2024

About the Item

From ancient times, the materiality of clay has presented itself as a metaphor for human self-transformation. In recent decades, visual artists have leveraged this metaphor to explore the boundaries of visual art through creative experimentation. This has led to the development of innovative techniques and styles that push the limits of materiality and artistic expression. ‘Compressing Materiality’ brings to the fore notable artists exploring the mutable materiality of clay within the contemporary South African context. Existing in multiple temporalities and forms, both malleable and fragile, clay draws on various transformational agents to reflect culture and history—serving as a repository of collective memory and heritage. Its enduring materiality transcends temporal and spatial boundaries, fostering dialogue and understanding across diverse cultural landscapes. In the hands of an artist, clay transcends its inert state, undergoing metamorphosis through the alchemy of skill, imagination, and fire. By demanding physical engagement—a communion between hand and material—the artwork is imbued with an innate vitality. Clay moulds, sculpts, and shapes, yielding to the artist's will, yet simultaneously asserting its own agency. Featured as part of this group showcase, Antoinette Du Plessis’s ‘Calligraphic Vessel’ embodies her distinctive approach to ceramic art. This piece, crafted from earthenware and enhanced with oxides and glazes, reflects her commitment to creating hand-built vessels that surprise and engage the viewer through visual texture and intricate detailing. The vessel's design incorporates elements of calligraphy, symbolizing the interplay between language, culture, and identity. By engaging with the material in a tactile and intimate manner, Du Plessis's work exemplifies the alchemical process of creation, where clay evolves from a raw substance into a meaningful artifact that reflects both personal and collective histories.
  • Creator:
    Antoinette Du Plessis (1953, South African)
  • Creation Year:
    2024
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 11.42 in (29 cm)Diameter: 9.85 in (25 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Cape Town, ZA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2546214897582

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