Isn’t it fascinating how much we can learn about a person simply by observing where they’ve left a bookmark in a book or dog-eared a page? This thought struck me recently during a visit to my late father-in-law’s pottery studio in the picturesque Dargle Valley, located in the KZN Midlands.

A JOURNEY THROUGH MEMORY

Last week, I found myself in this serene setting alongside art historian Olivia Barrell and my husband, Reuben. We were there to delve into the legacy of Ian Glenny, my father- in-law, who had dedicated 45 years to his craft as a potter before passing away just after his 71st birthday last May. Olivia was conducting research on Ian’s career, examining him as one of South Africa’s pioneering ceramicists and studio potters.

As we sifted through a collection of beautiful pots, tea bowls, jugs, and teapots that lined the bare studio floor, I was struck by Olivia's enthusiasm for the aged pottery books that had been left untouched. What caught her eye were the dusty, yellow- stained strips of paper, old till slips, and newspaper clippings that had been used as bookmarks. These artefacts, though worn and neglected, sparked a sense of wonder in her.

THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF A CREATIVE MIND

Initially, I felt a twinge of embarrassment at the state of these books. They were covered in grime, their pages dog-eared and frayed. Yet, to Olivia, they were treasures—portals to my father-in-law's thoughts and inspirations, now lost but captured in time by those humble, moth-eaten bookmarks.

She described them as breadcrumbs, small indicators left behind that could help her trace the journey of his creative process. Each bookmarked page represented a moment in his life, a thought that had been significant enough to mark but perhaps not significant enough to preserve in pristine condition. Olivia was determined to use these “breadcrumbs” to connect the dots and map out the influences that shaped Ian’s artistry throughout various stages of his life.

REFLECTING ON OUR OWN FOOTPRINTS

This experience left me pondering the kind of trail I am leaving behind for others. As I consider my own journey, I find that part of my motivation for writing this blog is to leave a pathway of breadcrumbs for those who may come after me. These thoughts serve as letters to myself, capturing my reflections and experiences in a way that others might find meaningful.

Won’t you join me on this journey.