Palm to Soul | An immersive installation
A ceramic installation composed of eleven hand-built sculptures, each mounted on elevated “Ascension Bases” that hover above the earth like quiet sentinels. These hands do not point, hold, or grasp, but instead offer. Each one gestures differently, etched with its own meditation, guiding viewers on a circular path of reflection.
Debuted at AfrikaBurn 2025, Tankwa Karoo
A circle of hands.
A path of presence.
A soul-stirring invitation to slow down.
Set in the arid stillness of the Tankwa Karoo, the work invites participants to move slowly and intentionally, reading, breathing, contemplating. From “The Pulse” to “The Embrace,” each hand becomes both a mirror and a map: a gesture towards the sacred found in stillness.
Crafted in stoneware and finished with cascading glazes, these forms embody a gentle tension between fragility and strength. At its core, Palm to Soul is an offering. A sculpture of spirit. A moment of connection made solid.
This work continues Jacques’ exploration into the intersection of form, ritual, and self-inquiry—where art becomes not only an object, but a space. Palm to Soul is an ongoing installation, set to return to the AfrikaBurn Playa in 2026 in an expanded form, growing in scale, intention, and collective resonance.
The Pulse
Place your hand gently over your heart
Feel the steady rhythm within, the pulse of life that flows through you, connecting you to everything around you
With every beat, remember that you are a part of this grand, living world.
The Embrace Palm
*
The Embrace Palm *
Pause here... Close your eyes
Feel the quiet warmth of connection wrapping you
You are held, tenderly, by the world
Step by step
Breathe deeply
Know that you are never truly alone.
A Celestial Touch
*
A Celestial Touch *
Lift your gaze as far as the stars
Feel their ancient light filter through your breath
Threading cosmic energy into your body and soul
Let their vastness remind you of the limitless space within you.
SOL
*
SOL *
The sun’s warmth is on your skin, its golden rays filling you with calm
Breathe in deeply, letting the sun’s light fill you with radiant peace and the knowing
You carry this warmth within you, always.
The Grounded Palm
*
The Grounded Palm *
Feel the earth beneath your feet
With every step, let your roots grow deeper, reaching into the quiet strength of the soil
Allow the earth to anchor you, grounding your spirit in its timeless support.
The Seeker
*
The Seeker *
Look inward as you walk
Each step is a question, each breath the answer unfolding
Trust that the path you walk is the beginning of all you seek
Let every moment guide you deeper into the knowing of yourself.
Luna
*
Luna *
Step softly under the moon’s gentle glow
Let its light wrap around you, as if cradling your soul
In its quiet illumination, see the beauty that already exists within you, waiting to be revealed.
The Horizon
*
The Horizon *
Look towards the horizon, where the earth meets the sky
Let the endless expanse remind you of your own infinite potential
Open your heart to the vastness and know you are part of something much greater.
The Star
*
The Star *
Close your eyes and imagine a light ahead of you, guiding your every step
Feel its glow, warm and steady, leading you through the unknown with trust, grace, and unwavering strength.
Eternal
*
Eternal *
Feel the threads of connection weaving through you, tying you to everything and everyone
You are part of an unbroken pattern, a tapestry of infinite grace, flowing through time and space, always present and always whole.
