I had the idea during a concert with a musician who played the kora. As a spectator, I could only see the round part of the instrument.

 

The roundness of the instrument reminded me of the traditional Korean jars called Moon Jars. After doing some research, I realised that these simple, white, slightly imperfectly round shapes have a kind of fullness about them. They are made of two parts joined at the centre. This collage work requires technical dexterity, but more importantly, it gives the object an imperfection that may or may not be visible, but is always felt.

 

I managed to throw with this salty clay. I also found out from a friend who was willing to share her secrets with me and who had done several tests with clays gathered in salt water that it was better to fire it in containers. Salt is risky in ceramics!

 

This “Terre résiliente” project is taking an unexpected path. I thought that this clay, found on the seashore after a storm that devastated Wells Dune, where before there was only sand, would lead me to think more radically about the consequences of climate change.

 

Conversely, the Moon Jars remind me of the fullness of a planet that has everything it takes to sustain Life. And that it's better for our collective future to preserve this plenitude.I threw with the Wells clay as found in the water. It is relatively plastic. I covered the little jars with a white porcelain slip and fired them at low temperature.The fired clay is orange and reveals what looks to me like sand dust or stardust.