Original artwork description:

Safari was inspired by a dear friend’s remarkable photographs captured at her clients’ extraordinary camps and lodges across Africa (Liz Harper Travel). Her belief that travel can be a genuine force for good — revitalising communities, boosting local economies, preserving wildlife habitats, and fostering opportunity — deeply resonates with me. Her work enables clients help their guests to engage meaningfully with conservation efforts and return home with a renewed sense of connection and understanding.

From this inspiration, I began exploring the beauty and diversity of animal markings — the intricate patterns and colours found in nature on a classic African safari. Using layers of hand-coloured clay, I developed and impressed a range of textures to echo these natural motifs. As the clay was sliced, it revealed unique organic patterns — abstract interpretations of zebra stripes, leopard spots, giraffe markings and more.

Each small tile in Safari is individually crafted, some reflecting literal patterns, others purely expressive — together evoking the rhythm, warmth, and spirit of Africa.

Materials used:

Polymer clay

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