HOLD THE LINE
The latest explorations of Animae incorporate slate into the clay surface: fragments of stone formed 400 million years ago, embedded like shards of time.
These sculptures embody a state of readiness for war. Their forms convey strength and aggression, while their intricate stone armour reveals a need for defence and protection. Each shard contributes to a protective network, creating a surface that serves as both shield and warning.
The tension between power and vulnerability lies at the heart of the work. The armour that makes these beings formidable also reveals their capacity to be wounded. Suspended between threat and self-preservation, they suggest that displays of strength can emerge from the very vulnerability they are compelled to defend.
KUDU
HOLD THE LINE II
"The cave paintings in the Dordogne region of France have fascinated me since childhood. The iconic images of animals painted by humans thousands of years ago fill me with wonder and nostalgia. I believe that those early representations of bulls inspired me to what I do today. Far from being just paintings on a cave wall, they reveal the ability of those ancient artists to elegantly communicate and reflect upon the very existence of those creatures at that time. They appear to have been painted with respect and deep perception, not only regarding anatomical insight but also with a spiritual insight."
"It is as if those early painters sought to capture the essence of particular animals in their drawings. A few simple lines and our minds can do the rest. This dreamlike conversation between ourselves and these symbolic representations of animals is where this series begins. My intention , not unlike those humans thousands of years ago, is to capture the essence of the bull through simplicity of line; its strength, power and beauty, but expressing that in sculpture through the medium of clay."
ABSTRACT BULL
OLD BULL 03
OLD BULL 09
OLD BULL 09
OLD ANTELOPE
WHITE SWAN
BRONZE SWAN
