• Halima mapping out the design
  • spherical forms ready to carve
  • carving in progress
  • multicoloured pots on whitebackground
  • Halima Cassell carving Virtues of Unity
  • virtues of unity displayed in rainbow order
  • Virtues of Unity booklet
  • sketches of the designs
  • virtues of unity on display at a gallery
  • sketching out the design
  • pots drying out
  • virtues of unity on display at manchester art gallery on a circle plinth
  • the installation on display
  • Vessels on display at a gallery
  • shards and offcuts from virtues of unity

Virtues of Unity

This piece is my reflection on the shared commonality of the human race. Whilst we appear superficially different so we are also fundamentally the same; we are one species, united by our DNA regardless of cultural background, religion or skin colour. 

The clay for this piece has been gathered from across the globe and presents an exciting diversity of textures and colours reflecting the geology and climate of their places of origin. 

I have hand carved each piece in a soft, curvilinear style with holes allowing light to form a penetrative link from one carving to the next. By giving my work a common stylistic thread it symbolises the fact that there is more common ground that unites us as human beings than that which divides and separates us. We all come from the clay of the earth and eventually we all return to that same clay. Each piece is titled to suggest a different virtue that associates us all with our aspirational values

Our differences bring richness and variety to our lives. This piece will continue to evolve as I seek out different clays, enjoying the exploration of each one's distinctive character and identity.

Halima Cassell

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A publication about "Virtues of Unity" with an essay by Andrew Lambirth and an artist statement by Halima explaining the concept, ideas and process behind the creation of this installation is available to purchase from the artist here. 

 

 

  • “The most inspiring ceramic work I have seen in thirty years! Beautiful, mesmerising, powerful and thoughtful. Genius! Love, love, love this work.
    – Judith

  • “A Wondrous exhibition, truly amazing structures your dreams deliver out of this world ideas, created with the fabric of the Earth. Thank you"
    – Susan

  • “Existentially challenging and exciting. The pieces feel like a tribute and simultaneously a warning to humanity.
    – Anonymous

  • “Beautiful and exquisite work reveals a deep peace I was not expecting to find a new way to think “
    – Ellen

  • I really enjoyed the range of materials you have experimented with, and how you are collecting and using clays from around the world to signify unity and togetherness through art. Congratulations, I can’t wait to see what you create next!
    – Mella Moylan

  • It’s like something had forgotten but always known…Thanks
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  • Existentially challenging and exciting. The pieces feel like a tribute and simultaneously a warning to humanity
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  • Formidable and strongly female
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