Beneath the Sea
Beneath the Sea
By artist: Juliet Van Oirschot
Clay and glaze. 25 x 18 x 88 cm
This tabletop totem explores the cultural mythos and global interconnectedness through the presence of a Taniwha swimming across the globe. Moving dynamically across the carved, spherical shape of the earth, the Maori guardian spirit acts as a protective force navigating the vast currents of the world, bridging ancient cultural narratives with contemporary global dialogue. The interplay of shadow and light serves as a vital storytelling element in the physical structure of the piece. As light strikes the surface, the deeply carved, fluid scales and serpentine form of the Taniwha catch sharp highlights, creating a vivid sense of undulating motion against the contours of the globe. By distilling this powerful narrative onto a singular, intimate vertical axis, the sculpture invites viewers to observe the world from a vantage point of reverence and protection. The fired clay stands as an enduring anchor to heritage, while the shifting dance of light and shadow across its surface embodies the constant flow of water, time, and spirit across our shared planet.
About the artist.
Juliet van Oirschot is a ceramicist based on the beautiful Gold Coast, Queensland, land of the Yugambeh people. She was born in New Zealand, had a free-range childhood and long and boring international corporate career. Now in her third age, she has thrown herself into the world of ceramics, and experiments with style and form. Juliet makes furiously, quickly and moves from technique to technique. Her learning curve has been steep and her desire to continue to experiment means she has as yet to be constrained by a particular style. Her works range from functional to decorative, earrings, boxes, totems and sculptural pieces. Her work is informed by references to her homeland and ongoing interests of painting, developing and maintaining a large garden and occasional needlework. Juliet works predominantly in midfire clays and a variety of finishes.
Collection or delivery.
--Due to its size, this item is only suitable for collection or delivery by courier - please contact us to arrange a quote for courier delivery outside of Brisbane.--
This item is part of the Plant Empire Garden Art Exhibition, on display at Plant Empire from 17 October - 22 November 2026. Exhibition items are available for sale in person or online. In the unlikely event that a customer purchases the item in-store at the same time as it is sold online, we will refund the online purchase - thank you in advance for your understanding if this situation does occur. Exhibition pieces will be available for collection in-store or delivered from 23 November: to collect your item in person, please select the 'in-store pickup' option at checkout; or to have it delivered, please select either the Australia Post or courier option (Brisbane only) at checkout and your delivery fee will be calculated automatically.