Speaking the language of the Earth
- Belinda creates her vessels in total silence and solitude
- She is always open to exploration, experimentation, the unknown and chance
- Her works are inspired by nature and her own psyche, which she views as universal
Belinda Blignaut's journey as a self-taught ceramicist began when she first dug clay from the ground. "Growing up on a remote farm, I always knew I would become an artist," she says. Initially, Belinda worked with processed clays, but her true calling was elsewhere. “My practice has always been experimental. Working with wild clay that I dig myself and using it largely unprocessed gives me exactly what I was looking for. It is an ancient practice in making clay ware, and it is the way nature intended for us to live with the land," she explains. The depth of the stories held in Belinda's vessels often surprises people. Inspired by the raw terrain, she replicates the surfaces that she explores in the natural world. “My relationship with earth deepens every day, and with it my own inner and spiritual growth,” Belinda says.
INTERVIEW
My creative practice first unfolds in nature, as I have an intimate relationship with the source of my materials. This initial step also allows me to reflect on my own inner journeys. Both those aspects are then embedded in the story of each vessel I create.
I feel like I am part of the landscape as I dig wild clay myself. Seeing the raw material allows me to discover its properties and informs my use of it. During firing, I also better understand the natural shifts in land and the cyclic nature of the environment.
I love everything I engage with during the digging of the clay and the forming of the raw matter into a vessel. Remaining open to chance becomes almost as important as breathing, so I often feel like I am guided by the clay. My inner world is formed, along with that of the vessel growing in my hands.
I am passionate about sharing my craft. I have spent a decade teaching people with special needs, as well as a group of people out of work from local townships. I also teach studio assistants from diverse African cultures, which is a rich sharing experience, as everyone brings knowledge from their own backgrounds.
