Slow Burn

Hardwood Candle Holder

Slow Burn emerged from an initial exploration of erotic form and humor. Early in the process, I was interested in the visual and conceptual tension of a candle melting over a figurative object of desire. While the idea was compelling, working in ceramics ultimately limited my control over the form, and the results felt misaligned with my original vision.

With limited time remaining, I pivoted relying on material knowledge and technical skill to reframe the project. I laminated scrap hardwood collected from previous works, combining maple, walnut, and white oak into a single block. Turning and carving the form on a lathe allowed for precision and subtle referencing, transforming overt eroticism into something restrained and suggestive.

The candle holders are finished with eight coats of a beeswax and coconut oil blend, chosen both to eliminate unpleasant odor when heated and to achieve a soft, warm surface that responds to touch and light. The final object reflects a quiet tension between desire and discipline, humor and refinement an exploration of pleasure translated through craft, material, and process.