Eylene Clifford from Bapsfontein creates unique ceramic pieces

Eylene Clifford, a ceramic artist whose studio is on a farm near Bapsfontein, works with many different types of clay – from earthenware to stoneware and porcelain.

“I love the variety of options and infinite possibilities that the pottery process holds,” said Clifford.

After school in 2002, she decided to study psychology, mostly because she found herself being a sensitive person and people would comment how great she would be working with people.

“I don’t know that I entirely agree, especially for myself at that point but I do find our being and humanness very interesting. I have since grown to pursue more of the workings of the human mind, especially in how it influences and informs the creative process.”

After her studies, she moved to New Zealand where she lived for four years.

She worked in human resources and did pottery as a hobby. On her return to South Africa, she dabbled in many things before finally deciding that ceramics was the only thing that she really wanted to pursue.

“Over the years of doing pottery as a hobby I built up a studio and it was easy to make the shift in 2013 when I began doing pottery full time.”

An integral part of her work as an artist is her curiosity.

“Without curiosity, you would not be searching and exploring the world and experiences that can be then expressed into art.”

When asked about an artist’s role in society, Clifford said, “I think artists create visual representations of what is happening in the world in all spheres from society, the environment to the inner workings of our psychology. In a way, artists hold up a mirror to the world to reflect whatever is in front of it.”

Over the years she has morphed from a production potter to more of a ceramic artist.

“When I started I tried to be a production potter. I was making whatever would sell. As I grew in skill and as a person, I began creating more of what speaks to me and that comes from my inspiration, leaving behind the ideas of what I thought I should be making.”

The lockdown and the turmoil and uncertainty during that time were great inspirations for Clifford.

“I walked into my garden and realised that the sunflowers I planted had bloomed. In the busyness of life, I missed it. They had already died and were almost dried out. I picked them and began using them as decorations on vessels. They became a symbol for me of how the death of one way of existence can bring an openness for something new and awareness of what was previously hidden can be born.”

What can she not do without? “I would not be able to do without making something, I will go crazy without a creative outlet.”