THE ANGULAR
Object family 2016, original designs.
This family is about a gradual deviation from 90 degrees square. All items are made in Umbila, one of Mozambique's soft woods, finished with wax and polished. All handmade by local carpenter Sr. Vasco, to my designs and specs.
EQUILIBRIUM lamp
DIREITO [Upright] floating shelf
RECLINADO [Reclining] display module
The EQUILIBRIUM lamp was inspired by the leaning tower of Pisa, an exercise in equilibrium vis-à-vis centre of gravity.
The salvaged light fitting is from a second-hand store, and the electrics were restored by RUUM GALLERY (Instagram: @ruum_gallery ). The base/pedestal was handmade to my specifications. I then personally assembled the parts by hand.
The DIREITO floating shelf is made with a 20mm plank.
The slight groove towards the back, nearest to the wall, was conceived to keep picture frames in position. The vertical returns at the ends assist the stability of the shelf, and are also where the supports for the screws are positioned. These uprights also serve as bookends for paperbacks, and balance out the proportions of the shelf.
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CLAY MORPHOSIS
First ever foray into modelling clay. Of the many ideas that came to mind, I chose to construct four small objects, which will show the progression of a form that begins life upright, then starts to melt and finally morphs into a bowl (see top centre of the drawing above). The final objects can be used as small display recipients for jewelry.
I also wanted to experiment with modeling organic shapes, and using the technique of free-hand shaping and modelling. The final object resembles the aloe and combines different finishes to the clay, to highlight textural details.
DENTATA
Modeling the wet clay, free-hand
Change in colour: wet clay, after 1st firing, and with glazing (awaiting 2nd firing)
Finished textures: Namaacha clay, white glaze with celadon, and copper oxide
Dentata, finished
Aesthetics of organic beauty, after man-made interventions
BOWL PROGRESSION
Modeling the wet clay, using the rolling technique first for even thickness all around, and punctured body for texture
Painting and glazing, after 1st firing. The applied colours at this stage look nothing like their final versions
Finished textures and colours
Bowl Progression, finished