Sitting on a Bench Bowl

Hylton Nel, born in Zambia and now based in Calitzdorp, South Africa, is known for his whimsical, idea-driven ceramics, often featuring references to ancient art, politics, literature, decorative, and visual arts.

Nel and Kim Jones, longtime friends, recently collaborated on the Spring 2025 Dior Menswear collection which debuted in June 2024. The runway was studded with five oversized cat sculptures by Nel, all magnified versions of his original works. Notably, the original cat in heels came from Jones' personal collection, and was carried by a model in the show's opening look.

Nel's artistic influence extended throughout the collection, with his immediately recognizable designs, characters, and motifs appearing on various pieces ‐ a blue dog on a white sweater, blue flowers on a white jacket, intricately embroidered animals, and flowers on leather bags. The phrase "Dior for my real friends," written in Nel's handwriting, was woven into the collection, underscoring the deeply personal and creative exchange between the two collaborators.

In this piece, Nel depicts a solitary figure seated on a bench at the bottom of the bowl, surrounded by delicate sprouting shoots that adorn the bowl's exterior. The piece is painted in a warm yellow hue, with red dots accenting the rim and a sheer blue glaze pooling softly at the center, adding depth and contrast to the composition.

Inscribed with initials and date 'HNH 8 5 07' (on the underside).

EXHIBITED:

Johannesburg, Stevenson, Hylton Nel: Bowls, July-August 2022.