The sculpture Vessel is inspired by the data recorder (the black box) from the space shuttle Columbia, which exploded in 2003 as it was re-entering the atmosphere of the earth. All seven members of the crew died.

The title has a reference to the vessels found in Egyptian tombs, the so called “solar boats” should transport the deceased over to “the realm of the dead” and the Pharaoh to join the Sun God Ra during the day. The two holes in the front of the sculpture that remain from cables entering the black box has reference to urns in certain cultures which has a pair of holes, appearing almost like eyes, thought to be for the spirit of the deceased to be able to navigate in the afterlife.