SILUETA ALTIPLANO III SCULPTURE by SOLEDAD CHRISTIE

Revealing a profound connection between Soledad Christie, the natural world, and ancient traditions, each ceramic work is a testament to the stark and evocative landscape of the Atacama desert, a place where silence and vastness shape a deeply intimate relationship with nature. This arid and seemingly barren land, with its open expanses and minimalistic beauty, is reflected in the pure, sculptural forms of the vessels, which capture both the stillness and the subtle vitality of the desert

Inspired by the spiritual force and sculptural presence of Pre-Columbian monochrome ritual vessels, the works in Christie’s collection are a modern interpretation of ancient craftsmanship. Her process, rooted in the tactile and meditative act of shaping clay by hand, is a deliberate embrace of slowness and presence. The vessels are built layer by layer, where thin sheets of clay are gradually molded, allowing Christie to explore both the inner space of the object and the outer, tactile surface. This duality—of the unseen interior and the visible exterior—mirrors the hidden depths and stark openness of the desert itself

The forms emerge intuitively, guided by the natural rhythm of the lines and the balance of each silhouette. These vessels, though sculptural, retain a sense of functionality, much like the ancient vessels that inspired them. They are also deeply personal, each work a quiet expression of Christie’s lived experience in the desert, capturing the flow of nature, the subtleties of light and shadow, and the connection between earth and hand

The surface of each vessel is left bare, allowing the natural texture of the clay to speak. This raw materiality, coupled with the monochromatic palette, evokes the weathered stones and muted tones of the Atacama Desert. The interplay between the smooth, curved forms and the irregularities of the handmade process creates a sense of balance, grounding the work in both tradition and contemporary practice. These vessels, like the desert itself, hold a silent story—one of timeless beauty, spiritual depth, and the enduring relationship between humanity and the earth