My sculptures seek to catch the elegance and sheer strength of animals, particularly horses and the big cats. Numerous courses with Felicity Lloyd Coombes enable me to work with her chicken wire and paper clay technique. She also passes on her observational skills and use of reference material.
Raku is an ideal medium to explore animal markings (what is the point of black if not for tiger and zebra stripes?). These figures are created using Otakar Silva's paper clay method. Completely dry pieces can be combined although their forms can no longer be changed.
I have been fortunate enough to go on safari in Africa to see them in their natural habitat. Regular zoo visits enable me to sketch and familiarize myself with their patterns of movement.
Yvonne DSouza
