H44cm x W16cm x D22cm
In Noble Mariner, Gwenda Jones captures the quiet strength and humility of a veteran seafarer, strengthened and enriched by a lifetime at sea. For the portrait, she uses terracotta clay, a humble material chosen deliberately to evoke the idea of a grand bronze sculpture. Rather than elevating the figure through opulence, Gwenda celebrates the mariner’s modest yet noble existence, honouring all those who spend their lives at sea.
The clay, rich in earthy tones, symbolises the mariner’s simple beginnings and deep connection to the natural world. Enhanced with oxides and underglazes, the rough, weathered surface mirrors the raw, elemental forces he has faced. His humbled expression speaks not of defeat but of hard-earned wisdom and respect for the sea’s power. The choice of terracotta reflects the mariner’s unpretentious nature while still recognising the nobility in his lifelong journey.
Gwenda juxtaposes the organic quality of the clay with a weathered structural steel plinth. The steel represents the resilience and steadfastness of the mariner and the ships he sailed. The clay highlights his connection to the earth and the fragility of human existence. Through Noble Mariner, Gwenda honours those who face the ocean’s relentless forces with quiet dignity, celebrating their strength, humility, connection to nature and enduring spirit. The work reflects the eternal balance between fragility and resilience in a life spent at sea.
