A ceramic sculpture grouping in Greenwich, CT inspired by the row of cacti in front of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s houses in Coyoacan, Mexico City.

Plans to build an outdoor hot-tub surrounded by bamboo were challenged by the high drop-off surrounding this platform, and building codes required a fence for safety.

Jacques Grange, the designer for the project approached me for ceramic fence solution. We loved the idea of 57 ceramic cylinders of slightly varying dimensions feeling plant-like, sculptural, and that would harmonize with the surroundings.

The simplicity of the forms coupled with stunning glazes amidst a highly textural stone wall, bamboo, patio, and water create an unusual and striking aesthetic!

Spanning 11 months from concept to completion, each sculpture was placed 4” apart to meet code requirements. Materials were selected to withstand the extreme weather conditions on the waterfront location. We completed our installation a few days before Hurricane Sandy, and were pleased the installation remained in perfect condition despite the historic super storm.

We consulted with a structural engineer, architect and a contractor to fashion the infrastructure for the installation. Our process combined the hollow cylindrical forms extruded from a pug mill and then finished each by hand. A technical feat, the waterproof/frost proof ceramic walls are about 3/4 “ thick and fired in a tall kiln.

The collaboration between Grange, client and artist produced one of a kind sculpture grouping to ensure safety and beautify the environs.