earth VESSELS

each tree vessel I make responds to the time I have spent studying and connecting with a specific tree.  An intimate moment, where I choose to listen to the tree’s wisdom and essence of being. Not only do the physical attributes speak to me, such as bark texture, branch formation, folds and crevices; it’s about the energy dialogue between us/

Earth Vessel made at Newton Park, North Somerset (Unearthed in 2023) By Sonya Wilkins Ceramics

from Crab Apple trees, to Poplars, to Scotts Pine and Sequoia, the choice of exploration and understanding is endless. The variety even within each species never ceases to inspire me/

often I form the grounded base on the Potter’s Wheel, throwing stoneware clay while remembering…then I build upwards in coils, blending, pressing, cutting and folding. Coiling conjures the same concentric circles which represent a tree’s life, much like each coiled layer represents a moment in making time in my own life, in my studio/

The completed form is finished with wild clay slips which I forage from various locations on my travels. The inner space of the vessel is covered with a water tight glaze for functional use/

every tree vessel is unique, some even made incorporating woven willow and wire to suggest reaching branches; each one is marked with my signature ‘S’ on the base

earth VESSELS

a chance discovery by land, a natural crevice in the ground, wild foraged clays damp in my curious hands, all guided by Mother Nature – that is the recipe for each and every earth vessel I make/

every one I have ever made, and will make, represents a depth of connection with nature that continues to feed my soul. This time spent truly connecting with nature’s elements, while resting on her earthy foundations, has been a revelation to me; so I wish to share it with you/

coiling, stoking, blending upwards from the earthy hollow, reaching to the skies; nature speaks through her elements as I make – the wind, the air, the sunlight, sometimes even rain/

as I work, I enjoy inviting commercial clays and wild clays to assemble in layers, allowing the moment to evolve and unravel in time and space. As the form matures, I forage dried grasses and twigs to light a fire inside; this helps harden the clay, so the vessel can be lifted and ‘born’ from the ground. This fire making is a ceremony of types – a shamanic offering to nature/

most earth vessels remain air dry when lifted from the earth – I resist the urge to immortalise them in a kiln. the fragile beauty of the clay transforms depending on the moisture in a room – like a living entity, continually responding and changing/

often these earth vessels form part of curated exhibitions as examples of land-art. I also guide people to make their own earth vessel during ‘Making & Mentoring in Nature’ sessions. That way, you too can benefit from the wellbeing experience of making and creating in nature/

Book Making & Mentoring in Nature with Sonya
More Examples
Making Videos
Privacy Settings
We use cookies to enhance your experience while using our website. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. We also use content and scripts from third parties that may use tracking technologies. You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our Privacy Policy
Youtube
Consent to display content from - Youtube
Vimeo
Consent to display content from - Vimeo
Google Maps
Consent to display content from - Google