Charmaine Haines (South Africa)

Throughout my work, I continue to explore my ongoing fascination for Ancient Cultures, African Artifacts and
Medieval Iconic Art which embodies a broad interest in the history of the Arts and Crafts from ancient to
industrial through a 21st-century sensibility.

Working within the realm of figurative clay, I use both abstract and stylised symbols and motives to embellish
the smooth and seductive clay surfaces, further enhancing the sculptural forms.

The embellished surface is influenced by simplified abstractions of nature together with colour, texture and
simple gestural shapes create a rhythmic quality further enhancing the connection between the surface space
and the volume of the form.

– Fish and birds have always been part of my iconography. Together with my portraits, they’ve become
   autobiographical design elements that repeat themselves throughout my work adding both a narrative and
   mythical presence to the forms.
– I cannot underestimate the effect on my work, having spent more than two decades in the Karoo
  Wilderness, is a place of extremes where the weather has a major influence, creating an awareness of both
  life and death, where small things matter, often reflecting the spirit of the human condition.
– It is in the remoteness of this prehistoric landscape and sympathetic environment that I found a renewed
   energy in my work which fired up my imagination and aspirations.

Working primarily with vessels, the forms often evolve into sculptural works evident in my most recent
sculptural pieces. The vessel forms reflect my intention to embrace familiar classical shapes, exploring the
potential of the human form further representing the metaphor of the body as a vessel.

Simple shapes are altered to incorporate sculptural and semi-relief elements.

Coloured stains and natural oxide washes are used to further exemplify the manipulative and expressive
quality of the clay surface, including carving and textures showing a strong sense of surface pattern – through
abstraction and symbolism.