108 Cups, A Journal
I never expected I would be holding more than 200 pages of published book in my hands, when I first began creating 108 clay cups. For me the practice was the most important aspect of this mindful challenge I had set for myself and I had no attachment whatsoever to an outcome or expectation to where this would lead me.
I have always been a writer, mostly privately in the form of journals, except for my little Kids Yoga instructional book Rainbow Warriors and the Golden Bow, I published in 2015.
Mostly though, writing for me has been a personal journey of self expression, a way for me to gather my thoughts, document my life and navigate through time like motherhood, grief and my health.
When I began the Sadhana practice of creating 1 clay cup a day for 108 days along with my meditation, it only felt natural to accompany this journey with a daily journal. They actually went hand in hand and I don’t know if the practice would have been as powerful without it.
So as I gathered my clay, my breath and my mantra I created a heartfelt journal of my thoughts and what came up for me during the entire 108 day process.
Along with my 108 cups I now have a beautifully published record of my words printed on paper.
My son Xavier is an amazing photographer who worked his magic, capturing each hand made cup and my husband Simon worked tirelessly on publishing my second book. I created a rough sketch of the cover during a tropical storm in the jungles of Bali and then hand carved it into lino to print, making the cover completely my own. Together we have created not only an art book but a record of the process in the life of an artist, mother and woman. A time of beauty, pain and growth. A real-time journal of a human moving through the seasons of svadhaya (self-enquiry).
What I have now is a work of art, 108 ceramic cups displayed in a huge tea box accompanied by a 240 page book of beautiful images, verses and poems.
I’m so proud of this work and where it has led me, not only to a more stronger, kinder mind but as a beginning to a world of art through clay. I deeply believe from this experience in the power of art as healing.
I am continually grateful for my teachings in yoga that led me here and the grounding properties of playing with clay.
My 108 cups and journal will be on display as part of an exhibition collaboration with Cath from Garden of Weaving that I am involved with. Organic Matter will be showing from April 19th until the end of June at the Mundaring Art Centre, Perth WA.
Books will be available for purchase plus some collaborative pieces both Cath and I have worked on for over a year now.
Since this journey, I am now teaching workshops in mindful clay play and continuing my work in the creative process of clay.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported my journey that led me here. I would love to see you all on the 19th April at the Mundaring Art Centre at 1pm for the opening of our exhibition and if you would like to join my upcoming workshops or purchase a copy of my book stay connected here on the website or my social media pages.
Much love
Pammy
