Remembering

Some losses mark you permanently.

Remembering is for my friend James van Niekerk. He died suddenly in his early thirties.

We became close through jiu-jitsu. On the mat he was powerful and unyielding. Off it, gentle and exceptionally kind. His death made no sense to me — how could someone that strong turn out to be that fragile? That contrast, physical strength against the fragility of a life, is what this piece holds.

What I have left of him are memories. Precious. Already fading. This sculpture is how I keep him — his strength, his kindness, the delicacy of an ordinary day. James lives on in the work.