Rewilding Eden/ Exploiting Eden in Kannaland

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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. Helen Doherty's ‘Rewilding Eden/Exploiting Eden in Kannaland, South Africa’ reflects her deep engagement with the themes of cultural narratives and environmental concerns, drawing on her diverse background and experiences. Doherty utilizes stoneware clay to create a double gourd vase, which serves as a metaphor for the interplay between nature and human intervention, inviting viewers to reflect on the ecological challenges faced in contemporary South Africa, while also celebrating the resilience of the natural world. Doherty's work often engages with the concept of storytelling, where the medium of ceramics becomes a vessel for conveying complex narratives. She emphasizes the importance of the relationship between form and surface decoration, allowing the physicality of her pieces to enhance the stories they tell.

Creator:
Helen Doherty (1971, South African)
Creation Year:
2024
Dimensions:
Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)Width: 13.78 in (35 cm)Depth: 8.27 in (21 cm)
Medium:
Clay,Stoneware,Glaze
Movement & Style:
Contemporary
Period:
2010-
Condition:
Gallery Location:
Cape Town, ZA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2546214897652