Notes

In the 2004 publication on the artist, Deborah Bell discusses the initial clay edition that the present lot in bronze derives: ‘These figures were a leap in faith. It was a time in my life when I found myself between places, with no home, no kiln, nor a studio to work in. When the brick manufacturer, Corobrik, offered us their facilities to experiment on a large scale for the Earthworks/Claybodies show in 2003, it resolved the practicalities of where and how I could make the sculptures. I assumed that I would continue to work with the same processes as in the Unearthed figures. However, a tour of the production line of brick manufacture showed me raw clay in a different form: it was not the soft malleable ‘stuff’ that I had always coiled and modelled with, but solid slabs more reminiscent of stone.

The clay at this point, though ‘green’, had a dry, hard quality to it, which suggested that it be carved, a technique I was not
familiar with. Working with carving and this new columnar form made me remember quite different traditions and conventions. My hands would recreate memories of gothic imagery, guardian doorposts, carved verandah posts, wooden staffs, reliquary statues and many others.

I was particularly interested in their architectural scale and quality since I was in the process of building a new house and was caught up in the world of architects and builders. This whole project, including working in a brick factory whilst I was literally building a new life with bricks and mortar, had poetic resonance for me.

In the process of working, these columnar figures became guardians or sentinels. It came to me that if on a subatomic level, everything exists as a sea of energy, then who are the observers who hold this material world in focus? I liked the idea of gods or angels who hold this world in place, and protect us, so that we can experience grand adventures.

I chose to make nine Sentinels, five in terracotta brick clay, and four in white. Nine is one of the mystical numbers. It is the trinity of trinities, a complete image of the three worlds: Underworld, Heaven, Earth, Mind, Body, Spirit, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The nine Sentinels are our protectors, symbolising fortitude, constancy and eternal stability.’ —Deborah Bell¹

^1. David Krut Publishing (2004) Deborah Bell, Johannesburg: David Krut, Taxi-Art Book 010, another example of the edition illustrated on page 77.

Provenance

Strauss & Co, Cape Town, 1 June 2015, lot 284.

Private Collection.

Literature

David Krut Publishing (2004) Deborah Bell, Johannesburg: David Krut, Taxi-Art Book 010, another example of the edition illustrated on page 78.