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Whale Songs

Whale Songs, 2026

ceramics

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TA
Theresa Acker
Ceramics · Cape Town, South Africa

Details

Dimensions
40 × 20 × 20 cm (15.7 × 7.9 × 7.9 in)

Description

SOLD These vases are coil-built with stoneware, fired to 1200degC in an electric kiln. Surface decoration is etched with cobalt oxide, underglaze, clear glaze and gold lustre. These two vessels are a celebration of the ocean and a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect it. They honour the Southern Right Whale as an archetypal mother and guardian of the sea—a symbol of resilience, wisdom, and quiet strength. Despite enduring centuries of exploitation, whales continue to move through the ocean with grace and dignity, embodying strength without aggression. The Southern Right Whale's name reflects a dark history, as it was once considered the "right" whale to hunt. Yet its remarkable recovery through conservation efforts is a powerful reminder that when humanity changes its behaviour, nature can heal. These works celebrate both the majesty of the ocean and the hope that thoughtful stewardship can ensure its protection for generations to come.