Transient Silhouettes
Transient Silhouettes
By artist: Juliet Van Oirschot
Midfired reclaimed clay and glaze. 40 x 40 x 165 cm
"Transient Silhouettes" is an immersive, site-specific installation that explores the fragile intersections of displacement, rapid urbanisation, and human resilience. Constructed entirely from recycled and reclaimed clay, the sculpture mimics the density and chaotic architecture of informal settlements and rapidly built emergency housing. The physical structure features micro-habitations, meticulously stacked, interlocking, and spilling over one another. The core of the narrative is activated through a stark, single-source light positioned low to the ground. As the light shines on the structures, it casts monumental, distorted shadows across the garden. These shadows stretch the tiny, precarious dwellings into soaring, monolithic skyscrapers. This interplay between light and dark creates an intentional illusion: the physical vulnerability of the small, temporary homes stands in sharp contrast to the massive, haunting presence of their shadows. "Transient Silhouettes" asks the viewer to reflect on who remains visible and who is reduced to a shadow in our fast-moving world.
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.