Artist Interview

Marker's Commentary

This work is a series of three related ceramic vessels based on the student’s Sudanese heritage and migrant experience. Each work incorporates references to the student’s totem snake and to African fabric patterns in strips of incised slip that run vertically along each side of each vessel. These strips are broken and disrupted across the length of the form, representing breaks with culture and disruptions from conflict and change. The works are coil constructed with strongly articulated angled layers and facets with sharply defined edges. There are further detailed sections of precisely carved facets and pattern that echo the larger forms in each vessel and reference work by other African ceramic artists such as Andile Dyalvane. The choice of Feeney’s BRT clay body with its heavily grogged surface complements the references to African culture and crafts from the region. The incised patterns on the strips of slip decoration have been carefully and precisely applied and further emphasized with the use of a contrasting Manganese Dioxide wash. Each form has been expertly coloured with layers of dry brushed underglaze in rich red, orange and ochre tones with confident brush marks used to create direction and textural detail.