This collection is the story of how it all began:

An African Tale is a functional vase that showcases the busy waterhole in the African Savannah. The hippos lazily float in between their blue mud bubbles while ox peckers preen and eat the ticks off their heads. The Leopard watches the scene unfold as he dozes in the midday heat. Playful baboons can be seen scampering and nursing their young. The African lucky beans adorn the neck of the vase. Giraffe’s graze on the green leaves and add a sense of serenity to this story. All is as it should be in the bush today …

K9 Warrior rescues abused and abandoned animals, she is always guided by her birds and bat that nest in her hair, they keep watch for predators or poachers. Her deep pockets make sure no animal is left behind. She is complicated and was an outcast from her tribe. The inscription reads “A child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.” (African Proverb)

Sea Goddess is a story of the ocean and she too is a warrior of the big blue, adorned with all that is nautical only her blue dogs are a reminder she was originally from the land. The three of them protect the oceans from poachers and predators. Preserving our oceans and saving the sea creatures is her mission. “If you think you are too small to make a difference you have never spent the night with a mosquito” (African Proverb)

My African Wild Dogs are functional candlesticks. Also known as “Painted Dogs” they are endangered, there are less than 6000 individuals left on the planet. This pair is safe from harm and as they lie together at peace with the world, they emit love and light to wherever they rest. The candle light represents the moon light and these colourful dogs are one of my favourite animals. Human conflict and habitat loss is seeing their numbers dwindle. Please don’t go stay a while we need you…my beautiful dogs.

Pangolin and Child the gorgeous, weird & scaly African Pangolin. The most illegally trafficked mammal on earth. They are hunted for their scales. These gentle animals are now the most endangered animals on earth. I urge you to see them, know them and educate those around you. This mother and child are here to spread love and light on the illegal pangolin trade. I once had the most amazing experience watching two African lions playing “ball” A pangolin had curled itself up into a ball and not even those lions’ claws could break through those scales. The lions gave up and left the pangolin to live a happy life! Alas a poacher just scoops them up and pops them in a bag - game over!

I hope you have enjoyed my journey showcased by my ceramic story. Thank you for being part of the solution as art is here to disturb the peace a little and make us shift and bend toward the sun! NICCI ROMANOVSKY DANIELE 2021