‘Fragile Peace’ – by  Carina Claassens
Red & Black Stoneware, with slip, pigment and clear glaze. 1240’C

Why call it fragile peace? I started with making this sculpture the evening at just before midnight on the day before Russia attacked and started a war with Ukraine. I was listening to BBC World Radio and I still remember vividly the moment they announced the invasion into Ukraine. I made this piece during the first month and added the guns and bird after the images and video’s came out Bucha, Ukraine. I could not stop thinking about the women and children, millions, that had to flee and hide from bombs in a blink of an eye. How fragile peace is and how quickly life can change. Coming from South-Africa and born in the 80ties I never worried about nuclear war. The shock of listening Putin threatening the world with nuclear war… left me flabbergasted. I seems we do not learn from history and we as humans have a long way to go still.

*EDITED: Since last year October 2023, I have been shocked to see the attacks on Gaza. I am angry and disgusted by the majority of the world leaders that are allowing it to continue.
Palestine should be free and Israel should stop their occupation and stealing of land. I am South African and we share a deep bond with Palestine. I have never seen devastation like this before.