Dear friends, collectors, and loyal supporters
I’ve been holding onto a secret for the past nine months, and today, I finally get to share it with you.
At the end of last year, I received the incredible news that I’d been accepted into the Château d’Orquevaux Artists & Writers Residency in France! Nestled in the Champagne-Ardenne region, this 18th-century chateau is considered one of the top ten most beautiful residencies in the world. Only 20% of applicants are accepted and I’m honoured to be one of them.
This will be my first artist residency, and believe it or not, my first ever trip leaving South African soil. At 46 years old, I’ll be boarding my very first international flight. So many firsts! Whooohooo!
After years of nurturing young artistic minds, lecturing in the arts, raising two sons, and building my art practice from a tiny lounge studio, this is my moment to grow. It’s a rare opportunity to reflect and be in an environment designed to nurture artistic expression. This journey feels like a long-awaited gift to myself, and I’d love for you to be part of it.
This residency is more than a break. It’s a very significant moment in my life and feels like a creative pilgrimage. I’ll spend two weeks at the château overlooking the historic village of Orquevaux, surrounded by nature and 20 other artists from around the world. I’ve also been awarded the Denis Diderot Grant, which partially funds my stay. However, I still need to raise additional funds to cover the remaining residency fees, airfare, transportation, and maybe a little extra for a few freshly baked croissants!
Today I’m officially launching “The Wishbone Project” and you are the first to know.
This campaign is more than a fundraiser. It’s a celebration of hope, intention, and the magic of the ancient act of wish-making and wish-giving.
To fund my residency in 2026, I’ve created a limited-edition Wishbone Box which you can collect, gift, or treasure.
An original wishbone was hand-sculpted from clay after which I made a silicone mould. The mould has then been used to cast 222 limited-edition wishbones from modified Crystacal plaster. The wishbone can be displayed as a keepsake or be broken to make a wish.
Each wishbone nests in its own special box, along with a beautifully designed authenticity card, complete with wax seal and feather - because every wish deserves ceremony.
Whether you buy a Wishbone Box for yourself, gift a few to friends, or stockpile for Christmas, however you choose to share a wish, know that you’re not just supporting my dream; you’re becoming part of it and directly supporting the next chapter of my artistic journey.
