Clay has long been revered as a versatile medium for artists to express their narratives, and Xanthe Somers is no exception. Based in London but hailing from Zimbabwe, Somers uses clay to delve into themes surrounding domesticity, craft, and the often unseen and undervalued labor of women within the home.
Growing up in Zimbabwe, Somers witnessed firsthand the inequalities present in the social structure, particularly when it came to gendered labor within the domestic sphere. She notes that cleaners and gardeners, who often work tirelessly behind the scenes caring for children, cooking meals, and maintaining homes, are all too frequently underpaid and undervalued.
For Somers, clay is more than just a medium—it is a vessel for stories, meaning, and function. She explains, “I think mostly I am invigorated by its ability to hold—to hold water, to hold function, to give shape, to carry stories, and to carry meaning.”
Her ceramic vessels, which often take on figurative forms, explore the intersection of art and functionality. With saturated colors, bold patterns, and tactile textures, her pieces stand tall on plinths, some appearing as if they have been crumpled or weighed down.
Drawing inspiration from weaving, another craft traditionally associated with women’s labor, Somers uses her vessels to speak to broader issues of domesticity and social cohesion. She sees weaving as a metaphor for the undervalued work of women, not only in Zimbabwe but worldwide.
In the coming year, Somers will embark on a residency in Guadalajara, Mexico, where she will learn from local ceramic artists, glassblowers, and weavers. Additionally, her work will be on display at London’s 1-54 art fair, dedicated to contemporary African art.
Through her art, Somers invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of domestic labor, women’s work, and the intersections of class and culture. With each vessel she creates, she adds another chapter to the ongoing narrative of humanity, using clay as an archive for the stories of individuals and societies.
