'3380 Hours'

3380 Hours is a testament to perseverance in South Africa as an artist so reliant on electricity to produce work.

A kiln takes 10-13 non-stop hours to fire ceramic work and with loadshedding affecting all of South Africa, it is no easy task to progress in this medium or deliver on orders to survive.

This work comprises over 350 individual pyrometric cones - a tool all ceramists use to ensure accurate firing temperatures. Each cone represents a full 10-13 hour kiln firing, totaling at 140.8 full twenty-four hour days. Just less than half a year. 

They stand, hunched over with their effort expended for all the world to see.
They stand as a reminder of just how long I have stood in front of my kiln to ensure a safe and accurate firing.
A reminder of all the 2am wake ups to watch the little cone sentinels bending as a bizarre salute, communicating success.
A reminder of my sore eyes adjusting to the light of a 1200 degree atmosphere at 1.45am on a Tuesday morning.
I do this because I have a passion for it.
I do this because I want to.

A visual testament to my commitment to making beauty with clay, despite the difficulty.

• MEDIUM: Stoneware & Pyrometric cones
• YEAR: 2024
• SIZE: 70cm x 70cm x 8cm
• WEIGHT: 5kg