Jan Ernst presents biomimetic sculptures at Galerie Revel

South African designer Jan Ernst’s solo exhibition ‘Florescentia’, is currently on display at Galerie Revel, a contemporary design gallery in France that showcases the works of artists and designers from communities that have historically been invisibilized in the global West.

Serving as an ode to the simplicity and beauty of the natural world, the pieces that populate ‘Florescentia’ are characterised by abstract shapes and forms that capture not only the material inspiration derived from the plant world but also embody the emotions that are experienced when in touch with nature.

“Nature is a constant reminder of how transient our existence is. It reminds us of the cycles of life and that change is the only constant. Through my work, I try to interpret themes of life and death, birth, decay, and time,” says Ernst about his designs.

The showcase comprises five ceramic vessels along with four preliminary drawings that Ernst sketched out while envisioning his Seapod Vessels. The designs of the vessels educe evocative emotions, thanks to their resemblance to the natural elements that surround us.

Jan Ernst is a multidisciplinary designer who draws inspiration for his works from the natural landscapes that define his birthplace in South Africa. Characterised by organic shapes and rough-textured surfaces, his ceramic designs appear like the natural components that populate the ecosystem. A trained architect, Ernst uses clay to sculpt elegant sculptural pieces, also experimenting with the material in the process.

“A big part of how I celebrate life is by spending time outdoors and interacting with nature. It was extremely difficult during lockdown to be confined to my apartment. It’s simple gestures like breathing in the fresh morning air or being able to forage mussels along the coast. These are my sources of inspiration and now more than ever, I would like to immerse myself in it,” says Jan Ernst while explaining his affinity towards nature, a major source of inspiration in his works.

For his Seapod Vessels, Ernst drew inspiration from the fascinating forms and symbolic meanings that various plants like lotus and poppy have in popular Eastern and Western cultures and traditions. For instance, blue lotus is not only considered a sacred plant with a sweet fragrance, but also an important part of the mythical world of creation as well as the ritualistic ceremonies that demarcate deaths and daily prayers in Egyptian tradition.

Another lotus called the Eastern Lotus or Sacred Lotus is considered a sacred plant in Asia, primarily by the adherents of Hinduism and Buddhism. Representative as a symbol of purity and elegance, the flower quite often features in the form of seats of prominent deities. The universal symbolism associated with the flower renders it relatable to all people for different reasons. Ernst’s vessels bear similarities to these flowers, thus making them universally relevant, while also granting them a sense of intrigue, unique as they are in the way they have been envisioned.

Despite deriving his inspiration from nature, the South African designer’s creations are never too literal. They rely not on familiarity to make their point or appear interesting, but instead, appear as abstract organic pieces that bear the ability to draw attention and chisel out intrigue. Made out of white stoneware by hand, the vessels can occupy traditional spaces as easily as the contemporary ones.

Jan Ernst de Wet’s solo exhibition ‘Florescentia’ will remain open to the public from 1 December 2021 to 5 February 2022 at Galerie Revel, 12 Rue Esprit des Lois, 33000, Bordeaux, France.