Lisa Firer’s ethereal porcelain tea lights are immediately recognisable as her signature product. When lit, they have a desirable, mystical quality that she says, “touches people on so many levels through the elements of fire and light, religion, ritual and sacred spaces.” 

Imagine 250 tea lights glowing in the crypt of St George’s Cathedral… This was the imaginative way that Lisa launched her range a decade ago in an exhibition called Northern Lights. In celebration of this 10 year landmark, she’s planningto go full circle and hold a Southern Lights exhibition.  

So what fires Lisa Firer? “The first moment I touched clay I loved it,” she admits. This passion translates into her work which is characterised by translucent white porcelain, embossed by fynbos designs or poignant words or messages. Recently inspired by an exhibition about water, she is attempting to recreate a water-like flow in the clay, juxtaposing this with the nature of static clay artwork. “Pottery reveals our history because once fired, nothing can change it.”  

Lisa’s work needs two firings, but before it gets this far, the clay has to be prepared to make it workable for her designs. It is hand rolled, embossed and made into a vase, bowl or tea light. The entire process involves work done by hand, making every piece an original. 

A collection of South African ceramics is currently on display at Iziko Museums across South Africa under the William Fehr Collection. More specifically, Lisa Firer’s exhibition “Fired” will be held at the Castle of Good Hope.

Will you be going?