Hans, hearts and clay

Before me on my worktable sits a lump of clay. Damp and earthy, capturing the essence of the land, and entire world, so ancient yet at the same time so contemporary.

I always feel the same emotion when I start a figure, of having a story to tell. Whether it’s a man or a woman, perhaps a child, they always, alwais, form a part of the great event, telling the story as a spectator from the nativity.

They cannot just be figures; each and every one of them should reflect a feeling. They are actors that once placed in the scenery, are capable of making or breaking a work of art.

The creation of a figure should involve a combination of inspiration and technique. Inspiration, the idea, may come from a gesture we have seen in our day to day lives, just by looking around at the world that surrounds us and telling our stories. Before creating the pieces, we go through the information stage, where we decide how we want to represent this idea.

Finally, we need the technique and skill required to develop it. Technique is a vehicle for transmitting our personal style, imagination, way of seeing the world, and even who we are. The craftsperson, sculptor, figurine maker, or any other name given to the individuals dedicated to this work, leaves a huge personal imprint in each piece they make.

The material and instruments we use couldn’t be more basic: clay and utensils, and specially hands, but above all our hearts. It’s vital to let the clay speak for itself while we work on it, as it always has something to say or to teach us.