Completed in 1985, this exquisite hand-sculpted vessel displays my mother’s period of ceramic-oceanic exploration by paying homage to Yemanjá, the Yoruba Orisha of the sea, motherhood, and creation.

Formed in high-fired stoneware and finished in a radiant cobalt and white glaze, the pot captures the rhythmic movement and life-giving energy of waves and seafoam atop the ocean. The lid is crowned with a stylized figure of Yemanjá, her presence is regal and rendered with expressive eyes and natural hair. She is adorned by a constellation of organic protrusions that recall sea flora, shells, and coral. Smaller sculptural forms, presenting seas guardians and ancestral spirits, emerge surrounding her base. They extend offerings symbolizing the eternal reciprocity between the divine and human realms.

The surface treatment alternates between glossy and textured finishes, mirroring the play of light on waves and underscoring Yemanjá as both nurturing mother and powerful oceanic force.

This piece exemplifies my mother’s early mastery of ceramic technique blended with spiritual connection. As part of her enduring body of work, it serves not only as a ritual vessel but also as a testament to the profound dialogue between artistry, ancestry, and faith that defined her practice.