When I tackle a new piece, I’m rarely trying to perfectly recreate a traditional story. Instead, I find myself hunting for a specific visual language—especially when it comes to snakes. I really wanted to steer clear of traditional, textbook-realistic reptiles. I wanted something that looked genuinely different.
That search led me straight to the iconic, dynamic world of Hong Kong manhua, specifically the sharp, hyper-stylized lines of Ma Wing-shing (Jones Ma) in Storm Riders. His work has this incredible comic-book aesthetic that completely redefines the form.
A Heightened Red vs. A Soft Lily
From the very beginning of the design concept, the idea of the lily pad and flower stood out to me. It wasn’t about a literal narrative, but a pure contrast of form. I wanted to pit two completely opposing visual languages against each other on the clay surface:
- The Serpent: It isn’t frantic or fierce. Instead, I carved the face to be calm and deep, carrying a quiet, concentrated presence. To reflect that intense emotion and heightened state of mind, I’m making this snake a striking, commanding red. The deeply carved, stylized scales are meant to feel heavy with hidden energy.
- The Lily: Soft, organic, and elegant, acting as the perfect visual foil to the sharp brow and powerful, resting coils of the serpent.
The Intrigue of Opposition
What I find most intriguing about working this way is the sheer tension of the composition. You have this heavily textured, intensely red creature winding its way around the planter, sharing the exact same space as a delicate, peaceful blossom.
It creates a fascinating visual puzzle. The calm, deep expression on the snake makes you wonder about the relationship between the two forms—is it guarding the blossom, or is it meditating beside it?
This planter is gifted to one of my really best friends.